Relatives of macheteNews robber called the police

A MACHETE-WIELDING robber who tried and failed to raid two shops during the first week of lockdown was identified as the culprit by his own family.

Keaton Cooper brandished the weapon at terrified staff at a post office and convenience store in Sunderland.

The hooded 21-year-old, with a scarf over his face, was described as being “off his face” on drugs and left empty-handed on both occasions in the early morning of March 30.

His image was circulated during a police investigation into the offences and as a result of the campaign Cooper was identified as the culprit by his own family, who had seen the appeal and contacted the police.

Cooper, who has a previous conviction for armed robbery as a juvenile, then handed himself in and pleaded guilty to two charges of attempted robbery, one of having an offensive weapon and possession of a small amount of cannabis found on him after his arrest.

Judge Christopher Prince, at Newcastle Crown Court, said the offences were “serious and frightening” and jailed Cooper for five

Keaton Cooper

years. The judge told him: “The complainants are both going to be lastingly apprehensive as they go about their everyday work, serving members of the public.

“It is a difficult enough time for private shop owners and it was a particularly difficult time for shop owners on March 30.

“They kept shops available for essentials for people and you took advantage of them.”

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told the court Cooper first targeted the Grangetown Post Office on Stockton Terrace, Sunderland, where he went to the counter and asked for £350.

Mr Pallister said: “The witness told him to place his card in the reader. The defendant then began fumbling in the pockets of his trousers for several seconds before producing what the victim describes as a sword.

“The victim feared he was going to be stabbed. He managed to retreat to a place of safety, to an area of the shop with a glass screen.

“The defendant attempted to push the weapon through the gap between the screen and the counter.

“The victim activated an audible alarm and the defendant walked out.”

In a victim statement, the worker said: “I feared for my safety, I believed I was going to be stabbed.

“Once I have had time to think about the incident I feel like I have had a lucky escape. I don’t come to work and expect to be threatened.”

The victim added in a second, more recent statement he feels wary of strangers when he has to serve them and is apprehensive when he sees people with hoods.

The court heard the second shop Cooper targeted was Premier Stores on Villette Road, Hendon, where a lone woman was working.

Cooper, who was “mumbling”, “waved the machete towards her” while she shouted for him to get out.

He left the shop when a delivery driver approached.

After being recognised by his family in the media campaign and handing himself in to the police, Cooper was asked if he was responsible for the raids.

He told officers: “If I am I cannot remember. I was off my face on drugs.”

Adam Birkby, mitigating, said Cooper, of Trevarren Drive, Ryhope, had written a letter of apology and handed in character references to the court.

Mr Birkby added: “He is extremely remorseful for what he did.

“He acknowledges the fear and distress his victims were caused. He is deeply ashamed of himself.”

Mr Birkby said Cooper used illegal drugs to cope with family bereavement and the breakdown of a relationship.

After the case, Det Insp Sean Mcguigan said: “His frightening behaviour could have caused longterm effects for his victims.”