A MAN and woman have admitted taking part in the robbery of a customer at a store cash machine.

It follows an attack on a man, who was forcibly relieved of £40, having used the cash point at the Sainsbury’s store in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, on July 22.

Shaun Goodwin, 37, and 25-year-old Stephanie Hepple both pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery put to them at a Durham Crown Court plea hearing.

Goodwin, of Laygate, South Shields, was said to have driven a Nissan Note to and from the scene, where Hepple, of Clarence Street, Bowburn, went through the victim’s pockets while he was being assaulted by a third party.

But their alleged accomplice, 27-year-old Liam Aaron Dann, of Durham Road, Bowburn, denied taking part in the robbery.

His case was adjourned for trial on December 20.

Judge James Adkin remanded him to remain in custody pending the trial.

He also remanded Goodwin in custody, but granted continued bail to Hepple, pending their sentencing hearing at the conclusion of the trial of co-accused Dann.

Judge Adkin asked the Probation Service to prepare background reports on both prior to their sentencing.

A charge of taking a vehicle without consent, the Nissan Note, was denied by Hepple, but it is to be withdrawn by the Crown, following her admission to the robbery.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054