Drug addict failed two attempts to rob shops in Consett

Michael Murray, who was homeless at the time and desperate for money for drugs, walked away when assistants at both stores refused his demands for cash.

The failed robberies resulted in the defendant, previously very lightly convicted, receiving his first prison sentence.

Durham Crown Court was told Murray entered Deneburn Stores, in The Grove, Consett, at 9.40pm on September 10.

(Image: Durham Constabulary) He walked to the alcohol fridges and then headed to the side of the counter wearing a black face covering and holding a claw hammer.

Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, said the defendant told the assistant: “Give me the till money”.

But the shop worker refused as he believed he recognised the defendant as someone who had previously caused issues at the shop.

In a victim statement read to the court he said he was shocked and panicked at the time, but he was left fearful in case the perpetrator returned and did it again.

(Image: Durham Constabulary/Google Street View) Mr Pettengell said six days later Murray entered the Premier store, on Park Road, Consett, with his face partially covered, shortly after 8am.

When the assistant came to the till area she saw Murray holding a long-bladed kitchen knife.

He told her to give him the money from the till, but she replied that she didn’t have any.

Murray responded by saying: “Unlucky” before walking out of the premises.

Police were again alerted, and the defendant was found an hour later having removed some items of clothing, throwing them in a rubbish bin, as well as taking off the backpack which he had been wearing.

Although he tried to run off from police he was caught up with and asked to drop to his knees.

But he continued walking towards the officers and so he was taken to the floor with a police baton as it looked like he was about to reach into his clothing as if to remove something.

He was searched and he was found to be unarmed.

The discarded bag was recovered and various items were found included stolen bottles of Jack Daniels as well as drug paraphernalia.

Mr Pettengell said Murray gave a false alibi, claiming to have been at an address where his grandmother lived at the time, but it was found to be vacant as they had been evicted and were living in a tent.

He added that as far as he was aware, the knife and claw hammer used in the two robberies were never recovered.

Despite his initial denials, 21-year-old Murray, of Medomsley Road, Consett, admitted two counts each of attempted robbery and possessing an offensive weapon/bladed article.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Vic Laffey, in mitigation, described Murray as, “a young man with a significant amount of problems in his life before moving to this area.”

Mr Laffey said the defendant had some mental health problems but was “fine and lucid” when he spoke to him prior to the hearing when he pleaded guilty.

“He made it clear he wanted to admit the offences.”

Mr Laffey said the defendant and his grandmother were evicted from the previous property where they had been living and were homeless for a while.

It was then that the defendant turned to drug misuse and as he had very little money and food found himself in a desperate situation.

Since Murray’s arrest he has remained in custody, but Mr Laffey said he is relieved to have been told his grandmother has been found a place in sheltered accommodation.

Mr Laffey added that the defendant was, “clearly very inexperienced” in committing crimes of the type he had attempted on those two days in September.

But the time which he has been held in custody since his arrest has enabled him to become drug-free.

Judge Nathan Adams said undeterred by his failure to successfully commit the first robbery, the defendant tried again less than a week later, equally unsuccessfully.

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The judge said that however inexperienced he was at committing such offences, it was behaviour which, “cannot be tolerated”.

He imposed a total three-year prison sentence, but told Murray it would have been four years but for his prompt guilty pleas at the previous hearing.

As the defendant was about to return to his wing from the video booth at HMP Durham, the judge added: “I hope we don’t see you back here again.”