Robbers jailed for 'horrific' shop worker attack

Two robbers who launched a terrifying attack on a shop worker, smashing a bottle over his head and spraying him in the face with an aerosol, have been jailed.

Ethan McCloud and Brooklyn Gray stole £300 worth of alcohol and vapes from a shop in Sunderland after the worker was assaulted for almost two minutes, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The victim, an Asian man, said the attack was "horrific" and he feared he would be killed, adding he was further terrified by it being a racial attack.

Both pleaded guilty to robbery with McCloud, 26, also admitting racially aggravated wounding. He was jailed for five years and 10 months and Gray, 23, for four years and four months.

The victim was working alone at a shop in Hylton Road when McCloud and Gray entered at about 22:00 GMT on 6 November, prosecutor Joe Culley said.

The worker told McCloud it was store policy to only let one person in at a time to which McCloud responded with a racial slur and said he would stab the man, the court heard.

He then punched him to the face and continued to rain blows on his head and body while straddling him on the floor, Mr Culley said.

Gray sprayed the man in the face with an aerosol before McCloud smashed a bottle of alcohol over his head and threatened him with a shard of broken glass, the court heard.

The robbers made off with about £300 worth of wine, spirits and vapes.

The victim was taken to hospital and while standing outside making a phone call, he saw McCloud walk by leading to the robber's prompt arrest, Mr Culley said.

McCloud, of no fixed abode, made no comment in police interviews, while Gray, of Orwell Court, Stanley, County Durham, denied being involved, although both later admitted offences, the court heard.

Both had multiple previous convictions including for violence and shop thefts and Gray was subject to a suspended prison sentence at the time of the robbery.

In mitigation, the court heard both had had traumatic childhoods leading to substance misuse.

Judge Gavin Doig said it was lucky the man was not more seriously injured.

Restraining orders banning McCloud and Gray from entering the area around the shop for 10 years were also made.

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