A SHOPKEEPER chased a masked gunman out of her store with a mop and pursued him until he fired in her direction, a court heard.
Grandmother Murti Mall forced the would-be robber to flee empty handed from her Pop-In Pantry in Penkridge, Staffordshire armed only with her mop.
Security camera footage from inside the shop showed Mrs Mall grabbing the gunman’s arm with the pistol pointing at her and then attempting to rip off his mask.
The gunman fled down an aisle and ran towards the door with Mrs Mall chasing him with the mop.
On his way out, the gunman dropped a bag he was carrying to steal money, Stafford Crown Court heard.
According to Nick Burn, prosecuting, a forensic examination of the bag contained DNA material linked to Benjamin Chambers, aged 20,from Bishops wood, near Brewood, Staffordshire. “The handle of the bag was examined and found to have the defendant’s DNA on it,” said Mr Burn. “A search of his house showed he owned a long black coat and a balaclava with three holes in it as seen being worn by the robber in the CCTV footage.
“Examination of mobile phone records also shows that the defendant was in the area of the robbery at the time.”
“It also showed that the phone went completely silent during the time of the robbery.”
“The defendant also owned several similar imitation weapons to the one seen on the CCTV footage.”
Chambers, who appeared in court wearing a black suit and black shirt, was found guilty of attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery by a jury on Tuesday.
Mrs Mall told the jury that she was with her 30-month old grandson in her shop on August 27, 2010 when she heard someone come in through the door.
According to Wendy Miller, defending, Chambers admitted he was in the area at the time.
“He was in fact in a near by car park at the time,” said Miss Miller.
“He has been asked by a friend to buy some drugs and so he was there to buy cannabis. “He owns a coat and a balaclava, but many people own a long coat and a balaclava.
“He used his air pistol to shoot pests, and he sold it in October. But if he was guilty of using it to attempt armed robbery in August why would he wait till October to dispose of it?”
Judge Mark Eades that they had to decide whether the fact that Chambers changed his alibi several times meant it could not be trusted.
“Mrs Mall told you the attacker shouted ‘give me the money’ at her,” he added.”What you must decide is if that attacker was the defendant.
“If you believe it was him, then I suggest both of your verdicts must be the same.”
Sentencing was adjourned until a later date.
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