Robber attacked shop assistant twice
CHRIS GEE
A THUG attacked the same shop assistant twice in four weeks at the newsagents where he worked.
Macauley Declan Crook, 22, of Bold Street, Accrington, entered the Ashrafi Convenience Store on Spencer Street, Accrington on both August 2 and August 30 this year where he violently assaulted worker Siraj Bawla, 51.
Appearing at Preston Crown Court via video link from HMP Forest Bank where he is remanded in custody, Cook pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the first incident and wounding with intent for the second.
The court heard that among Cook’s previous crimes were convictions for possession of an imitation firearm, attempted robbery and making threats to kill.
Judge Simon Medland told Cook that he was adjourning sentencing for probation reports which will examine how much of threat Cook is to the community and this would be reflected in the sentence he will impose.
After the August 2 assault Mr Bawla told The Accrington Observer of his terror after he was attacked by Cook.
Mr Bawla, 51, was working at the store when the attack occurred at 1.30pm. He said a man came in the empty newsagents’ shop and was seemingly eyeing up items close to the counter before he suddenly turned violent. Mr Bawla said: “I just thought he was looking at the toothpaste close to the counter but then he suddenly lunged towards me.”
Mr Bawla was attended to by paramedics and was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital and treated for cuts and bruises to his head.
Shortly after the first attack Mr Bawla, who lives in Blackburn, thanked the members of the Accrington community for their support.
He said: “Nothing like this has happened at the shop for the last 22 years.
“It’s been very nice the amount of people who have asked how I am and said how sorry they are that this happened to me.”
Cook will be sentenced on December 7.