A man has appeared in court following an alleged knifepoint robbery in Shildon. 

Timothy Clements, 33, was charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article following a reported incident on Friday. 

Police were called to the Lifestyle Express store, on Main Street, after a man allegedly entered the shop with a concealed knife and used it to threaten a member of staff. 

The suspect is then believed to have escaped with cash from the till. 

Clements, of Cheapside in Shildon, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on Monday morning (July 2) where he did not enter any pleas. 

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He has been remanded in custody until his next appearance at Durham Crown Court on July 30.

Detective Sergeant Steven Gill, from Bishop Auckland CID said: “No-one was physically injured during the incident, but the victim was understandably shaken by the robbery.

“We will not tolerate this sort of intimidating behaviour in our community and will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”