Shop assistant claims she recognised robber

11:28pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

A ROBBER who raided store premises armed with what appeared to be a handgun was recognised as a regular customer, a court heard today.

Heather Littlewood said she saw James Macdonald Brown entering Somerfield's branch in Seaham, County Durham, and approach her kiosk, on the evening of Monday, January 14.

Although the 'customer' had a hood up with drawstrings pulled over part of his face, the 22-year-old assistant told Durham Crown Court: "There was just the counter separating us and, to be honest, I recognised him as soon as he walked in."

Ms Littlewood said he normally bought packets of ten cigarettes and she believed he was going to ask for his usual brand at her kiosk.

But she told the court: "The next thing he pointed what I thought was a handgun at me and demanded money from the till.

"He said again that he wanted all the notes. He spoke in an aggressive way."

Despite having difficulty entering the till security code, she was able to hand him all the £10 and £20 notes when the drawer finally opened.

He asked if that was all, and although she told him there were still some £5 notes, he turned and "calmly" left the store.

The assistant said although the incident lasted little more than half-a-minute she was certain it was Mr Brown.

"I've worked in the shop three-and-a-half years and I must have served him 100 times or more in that time," said Ms Littlewood, adding she had also seen at times in the Seaham Harbour area and in a town pub.

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, said the raider waited until there were no customers in the premises before entering via the Church Street door at around 8.30pm.

Following Mr Brown's arrest, four days later, police found an imitation Taurus-make handgun under a kitchen work bench at his home.

He told police he was not in the area of the store at the time of the raid.

Thirty-two-year-old Mr Brown, of Ropery Walk, Seaham, denies robbery.

The trial continues tomorrow.

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