An armed robber who left staff at two shops so terrified they quit their jobs said he did it to buy his daughter Christmas presents.
Hooded and masked John Greenhow brandished a hammer at workers at two stores on the same day, leaving them terrified. The first raid happened at a Go Local store, in Houghton-le-Spring, around 4.30pm on December 13 last year.
A lone female worker was serving two women when Greenhow came in and made straight towards her, repeatedly shouting "Open the f****** till". Neil Jones, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "He was carrying a large metal hammer and she panicked and was extremely frightened.
