Sunderland shop worker feared he would be killed during terrifying robbery

A shop worker was subjected to a terrifying attack during a robbery.

On November 6 last year, the victim was working as a door supervisor at a Go Local Extra store, on Hylton Road, Sunderland, when Brooklyn Gray and Ethan McLoud went in. When told only one person was allowed in at the same time, McLoud responded by threatening to stab him.

He then punched him in the face with something wrapped around his knuckle. The victim tried to restrain him and then stumbled to the ground and McLoud ended up straddled on top of him. He then continued to punch him to the head and body and the victim had his hands up to cover his face. During the attack, he also made a racist comment, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

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Gray began helping herself to a number of bottle of spirits and tried to spray the victim in the face with an aerosol canister, affecting his ability to see and breathe. Mcloud used a bottle to hit the victim over the head, causing it to smash and gestured with the broken bottle, at which point the man said "stop, stop".

They took alcohol and vapes worth around £300 from the shelves before leaving. A customer entered the shop and the victim asked them to call the police. He later went to hospital and was found to have a cut and lump to his head and soreness all over his body. He said he was left in shock and disbelief.

Joe Culley, prosecuting, said, with reference to a victim impact statement: "He said it was a horrific incident in which he was scared and feared he would be killed."

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McLoud, 26, of no fixed address, who has 23 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to robbery and racially aggravated wounding and Gray, 23, of Orwell Court, Stanley, who has 15 previous convictions, admitted robbery. McLoud was sentenced to five years and ten months and Gray, who was on a recently imposed suspended sentence and two community orders at the time, got four years and four months.

Liam O'Brien, for McLoud, said he had a difficult upbringing, was in care and has no family or support network. He added that he is remorseful and accepts he behaved in a "disgusting" way. He added: "Although he doesn't look it he is of mixed heritage and is very ashamed of the comment he made and would like to apologise."

Sophie Allinson-Howells, for Gray, said she has mental health issues and turned to substance misuse to try to cope with trauma. He added that she is remorseful.