Hammer-waving robber was 'having a bad day'

MAN TOLD SHOPKEEPER 'I'M SORRY ABOUT THIS'

- CARL EVE

A MAN has been jailed after he admitted brandishing a hammer to threaten a Stonehouse convenience store shopkeeper.

Daniel Cunningham, aged 34 and of no fixed abode appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on Tuesday where he was sentenced for robbing Dawns Store in Cecil Street in the early afternoon of April 10 this year.

The court heard Cunningham, who said he had been awake for eight days having taken crack cocaine", walked into the store holding a hammer - and demanded to be given Marlboro.

Prosecutor Edward Bailey told the court Cunningham, who was not wearing any face covering or wearing gloves, walked behind the counter and immediately threatened the shopkeeper.

CCTV footage played in court showed the male worker retreating backwards as far as they could with their hands up saying "no problem" while a female customer who was being served fled and called 999.

Cunningham was then heard point the hammer at the terrified shopkeeper and say "you've got a big f***ing mouth" and demanded he open the till.