Three robbers who carried out a series of terrifying offences after targeting a number of businesses have all been locked up.

Nathan Shawhulme, Dillon Day, and Donna Dawson, stormed in a Greggs bakery shop and threatened staff before stealing cash and food.

All three entered the bakery on Kings Road in North Ormesby on February 22, Shawhulme climbed over the counter and demanded cash while Day blocked the entrance while threatening staff with a hammer and a knife, and Dawson helped herself to a number of sandwiches before the fled the scene.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Shawhulme and Day both also admitted carrying out a robbery at Norfolk Place in Berwick Hills on October 28 last year when they stole money, alcohol, and cigarettes.

The Northern Echo: Nathan Shawhulme. Picture: CLEVELAND POLICENathan Shawhulme. Picture: CLEVELAND POLICE

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said Shawhulme also pleaded guilty to a further robbery offence and having an article with a blade or point - a knife - on February 16. The 24-year-old also admitted a charge of theft in relation to a bottle of vodka from Sainsbury's.

Read more: Darlington man put partner's head down loo after his own affair was exposed

Dealing with the robbery at the Greggs bakers, Mr Dryden said they were all playing different roles and all three left the same home minutes before the raid.

He said: “We have Shawhulme, who climbs over the barrier, and he is the one who demands that drawers are opened, whilst that is being done, we have Day at the door armed with a hammer and a knife not letting people in or out.

“And we have Dawson wandering around the shop picking up sandwiches but there is conversation between her and the other two – it’s clear it is a joint enterprise.”

The Northern Echo: Greggs in North Ormesby. Picture: GOOGLEGreggs in North Ormesby. Picture: GOOGLE

The court how Day shouted to members of staff ‘shut up or I will do you all in’ as he brandished the knife and hammer.

Shawhulme, of Fulbeck Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and possession of a bladed article.

The Northern Echo: Dillon Day. Picture: CLEVELAND POLICEDillon Day. Picture: CLEVELAND POLICE

Day, 18, of Peaton Road, North Ormesby, pleaded guilty to both robbery charges and an additional charge of affray following a disturbance outside a Middlesbrough pub when he attacked a woman.

While 38-year-old Dawson, of Henry Street, North Ormesby, admitted her role in the robbery as well as a number of unrelated motoring offences, including driving while 18 times over the cocaine driving limit, in October last year.

John Nixon, on behalf of Shawhulme, said his client had no previous convictions for offences of violence on his record and he appears to have acted ‘totally out of character’ after running up drug debts.

Michele Turner, representing Day, said he had been in care as a child and struggled to adapt to life when he had to fend for himself when he turned 16.

And Rod Hunt, mitigating for Dawson, said his client was one of the most ‘troubled’ defendants he had ever met.

The Northern Echo: Donna Dawson. Picture: CLEVELAND POLICEDonna Dawson. Picture: CLEVELAND POLICE

Recorder Marco Giuliani sentenced Shawhulme for a total of six years and three months; Day was sentenced to a total 42 months in a young offenders’ institute; and Dawson was imprisoned for five years and six months. She was also banned from driving for a total of 47 months.

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 Teesside 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