A drug and drink-fuelled robber targeted the same shop on successive days, considering it an "easy target”, a court heard.

Jonathan McKee is now starting a 45-month prison sentence for his targeting of Ahmed’s News ‘n’ Booze, in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, on April 22 and 23 this year.

The 30-year-old defendant grabbed £18-worth of scratch cards in one incident after being challenged and prevented from getting to the till, but on his next visit to the Catherine Terrace premises, armed with a screw driver, he fled with between £100 and £200.

Durham Crown Court was told both raids were captured on internal cctv in the shop, leading to McKee’s arrest.

(Image: Google Street View/Durham Constabulary)

Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, said on his first appearance before the crown court, on May 23, the defendant, of John Street, No Place, near Stanley, admitted charges of robbery, theft and possessing an offensive weapon.

Miss Haugstad said on April 22 he sneaked into the shop, initially in the absence of any member of staff, and went to the counter carrying a pole, taking the scratch cards, leaving without offering payment.

He was followed by a staff assistant and prevented from reaching the till

“Seeing it as an easy target, he entered the following day carrying what the complainant thought was a knife, but which, by his basis of plea, he admits was a screw driver.”

She said the assistant picked up a pole to try to deter McKee, who pushed an ice and slush machine at him, causing an injury to the legs.

He then reached into the till while holding the screw driver before being ushered from the premises by the assistant and a colleague.

Miss Haugstad said the shopkeeper has requested the imposition of a restraining order on the defendant, fearing he will continue to target the premises.

She said McKee has 15 convictions for 27 offences, including one case of unlawful wounding but several for theft.

Jane Waugh, in mitigation, told the court: “He has little recollection (of the incidents) due to his intoxicated state.

“He doesn’t try to minimise the serious nature of what he did and has expressed an insight, saying how toxic and volatile behaviour can become when someone is under a combination of alcohol and drugs.”

(Image: Durham Constabulary)

Miss Waugh said it was prescribed drugs in the defendant’s case, to relieve the pain of scoliosis, from which he suffers, taking alcohol to enhance the effect.

“He’s had time, while in custody, to reflect on that behaviour and he’s used that time positively, achieving educational certificates and working with the DARTS (Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service) and medical teams.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

“He’s also avoided drug use and has no disciplinary issues against him.

“He fully admits his physical and emotional welfare has improved due to his total abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

“It’s been a salutary experience being in custody and he intends to get a job which does not require too much physical work, maybe a driving job, upon his eventual release.”

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Judge Jo Kidd said it may be some time before he can take up such work due to a lengthy driving ban and the inevitable sentence she would pass.

Imposing the 45-month jail term, Judge Kidd said the sentence would have been five years, had he not pleaded guilty at the earlier hearing.

She also put in place a restraining order prohibiting McKee from going to Catherine Terrace, in Annfield Plain, specifically the shop, or from approaching or contacting the storekeeper, in both cases, for ten years.