Mansfield newsagent feared for his life after robbery by masked youths
Ling Forest News police scene.
A MANSFIELD newsagent feared for his life after being attacked by two masked youths who robbed cigarettes and vodka from his store.
Parmjeet Singh was working alone when two 17-year-olds burst into Ling Forest News at 1pm on Tuesday 5th February.
Both youths, one from Oak Tree Lane estate in Mansfield and the other from Nottingham, admitted robbery when they appeared before magistrates yesterday.
Rosemary Wilde, prosecuting, said one of the youths used a rock to assault Mr Singh while the others stole from behind the counter.
Ms Wilde said: “The complainant was working on his own, his sister had been with him earlier but she had finished for the afternoon.
“Whilst he was behind the counter two males burst through the door, wearing masks and shouting ‘come on, come on’.
“Mr Singh was scared for his safety.
“One of the men had a rock in his hand and Mr Singh was scared as to what other weapons they may have had.
“The two males rushed straight for him.
“One of them grabbed him by the throat and tried to hit him in the face with the rock.
“Mr Singh used all his strength to stop the offender hitting him with the rock.
“Mr Singh tried to pull the mask off so he could be seen on the CCTV cameras.
“He said he thought they were going to kill him and he was in fear for his life. He shouted for help.
“They then grabbed some bottles of vodka and ran out of the shop.”
Mr Singh did not suffer any serious injuries from the incident but his throat was sore from where he was grabbed.
Ms Wilde said police traced the offenders to an address in Top Valley, Nottingham, where a number of other items not relating to the Ling Forest News robbery where found.
One of the youths made a racist comment in relation to Mr Singh claiming he had ‘bit his finger and scratched his leg.’
They both admitted the robbery but denied using a rock.
The court was told they both had previous conviction for violence and dishonesty.
Police found a video of one of the defendant filming himself preparing and throwing a petrol bomb, Ms Wilde said.
The pair were remanded in custody until sentencing at Mansfield on 5th March.
Chad made an application to lift reporting restrictions and name the youths which was refused by the bench.
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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