A PAIR of poorly-disguised robbers fled empty-handed after a teenage shop assistant and her grandmother stopped them grabbing the till.
Wayne Green and Steven Weldon were yesterday sentenced to five years each in a young offenders' institution after Durham Crown Court heard how they were recognised on entering the Spa shop, in Chester Road, Sunderland - despite trying to cover their faces with their hands.
Weldon, who was carrying a monkey wrench, tried to snatch the till but shop assistants, Kelly-Anne Simms and her grandmother, Ann Simms, struggled with them until they were forced to flee.
The women were each awarded £100 by the judge.
Green, 19, of Frome Square, Ford Estate, and 20-year-old Weldon, of Palgrove Square, Pennywell, both Sunderland, admitted attempted robbery.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article