A teenage robber who manhandled a shopkeeper in a terrifying morning raid is behind bars for more than three years.
Jake Mack, 18, had a scarf wrapped around his face as he and another hooded man struck at the Norton Convenience Store on Norton Road, Stockton.
Following a drink and drugs binge at a party, he grabbed the lone shopkeeper and took him to the floor at 9am on August 31.
The victim was then told by the robbers: “Don’t shout. Don’t look up. Put your head on the floor and close your eyes.”
Mack’s partner in crime - who has not been caught - tried and failed to open the till, Teesside Crown Court heard on Friday.
Mack frogmarched the shop assistant to the counter holding him by the hair as he was forced to help open the register.
Prosecutor Paul Lee said the other robber then attacked the shopkeeper as he knelt on the floor defenceless near the shop entrance.
The unidentified raider punched the 40-year-old victim in the face as Mack held him, then kicked him before they left.
The pair stole about £350 cash, cider and lottery tickets. They were chased and Mack was arrested by police nearby.
Other customers found the distressed shop worker, who suffered a facial fracture at the bottom of the eye which was treated without surgery.
He had bruising and swelling to his right eye, blurred vision and numbness.
He later said the robbery caused emotional as well as physical pain.
He did not sleep well, awoke in a panic and awaited counselling for his anxiety.
“It was totally unnecessary. I did not fight back at all,” he said in a statement.
“The lasting effects are going to continue for a long time with no end in sight at the moment.
There were audible reactions from the public gallery as CCTV footage capturing the robbery was played in court.
Mack, of Runfold Close, Stockton, admitted robbery. He had two previous convictions, both for assault.
Nick Peacock, defending, said: “This sort of thing is ridiculously out of character for this young man.
“He’s been involved in minor skirmishes before but nothing on this scale.”
He said Mack was the “secondary party”, his associate the “main man” who directed him and caused injury.
He added: “This happened because this young man was full of drink and drugs at a party.
“This whole thing escalated when they got into the shop.”
Mr Peacock said Mack, who had numerous references, showed clear, genuine remorse and was highly regarded by his family and friends.
He added: “The family are completely taken aback by all this, utterly shocked and thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour.
“For them to see the video must be a shock.
“He took the bull by the horns and pleaded guilty straight away.
“He knows he’s done wrong. He knows he has to be punished. He knows what’s coming to him. However he’s a young man. It doesn’t need to be longer than necessary.”
Judge Peter Armstrong told Mack: “I accept you weren’t the ringleader.
“However those who get involved in robbery have to take the consequences. You know that.
“This one night and one morning of foolishness is going to affect your life.
“This offence was clearly pre-planned. You were prepared to use violence.”
He sent Mack to a young offenders’ institution for three years and four months, of which he will serve half.
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