Would-be robber jailed for three years after threatening Consett shopkeepers with a knife and hammer

A would-be robber has been jailed after he pulled a knife and a hammer on two shopkeepers in Consett.

Michael Murray attended the stores in early September and threatened both staff in an attempt to steal money from the tills.

On both occasions, Murray used a weapon to threaten the shopkeepers, waving a hammer in the first attempted robbery and a 12-inch knife in the second. The victim of the second incident refused to hand over the cash and quickly called police, which prompted Murray to flee.

Officers caught up with Murray as he attempted to run off along a woodland track and arrested him on suspicion of two counts of attempted robbery and two counts of possession of a bladed article.

The 21-year-old appeared at Durham Crown Court last week and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Detective Sergeant David Toomer, from Consett CID said: "This was a terrifying incident for the victims who had gone into work that day to simply do their job.

"Thankfully, the victims were quick to call us and we were able to locate Murray swiftly after - I hope they can now find some closure in knowing that he is now behind bars."