A TEENAGER has been charged with an early morning raid where an elderly shopkeeper was attacked with a broom.

Mohinder Devgan, 75, was confronted by a hooded thief claiming to have a gun at the Lateshopper in Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, at 6am on Monday morning.

Mr Devgan fought back with an iron shutter pole, but the thief hit him with a broom handle and fled the scene with around £200 cash from behind the counter.

A 16-year-old youth from Bishop Auckland, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before South Durham Magistrates Court in Newton Aycliffe this morning (Weds), charged with robbery.

He entered no pleas, and was remanded in custody.

He will reappear in court next week on a date to be arranged.

Two men from Shildon, aged 18 and 23, were also arrested and questioned at Bishop Auckland Police Station in connection with the incident.

The 18-year-old has been released with no further action, and the 23-year-old was released pending further enquiries.