A robber violently attacked a petrol station worker and hit them over the head with a vodka bottle before making off with money.
Stephen Palmer attempted to buy cigarettes with a stolen bank card at the Airport Way Esso garage in Newcastle on May 24 this year. But when the employee got suspicious and began calling the police, Palmer launched an attack on the man, before hitting him over the head with a vodka bottle and causing wounds which required hospital treatment. The 24-year-old then made off with around £100 in coins.
Palmer, of Moorview Crescent, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday via link from HMP Hull to be sentenced for robbery and fraud. He had pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.
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Michael Bunch, prosecuting, said at around 6am, Palmer went to the Esso garage and asked for three packs of cigarettes from the lone worker behind the till. He said: "The defendant was asked for the pin number and he didn't know it. He was refused service and so asked for two packs of cigarettes and scratch cards. He attempted to use the contactless payment but it didn't work. The defendant was asked for the pin again but he continued to argue."
It was then that the garage worker began to call the police. When Palmer saw what he was doing, he went behind the counter and started attacking the employee, punching him numerous times to the head and grabbing him from behind. Mr Bunch said Palmer then picked up a bottle of vodka "which he used to strike him". Terrified and bleeding, the worker told Palmer to take what he wanted and he soon fled.
The victim was left with two cuts on his head and he was taken to hospital. Palmer managed to make off with the vodka and around £100 in coins. However, police later identified him from CCTV and he was arrested at his home hiding in his bedroom. The bank card he attempted to use was also found to belong to another man which had been stolen in a burglary that morning.
The court heard Palmer had 18 convictions for 61 offences, including theft, and was on licence at the time of the robbery after being given a 28 week prison sentence in January for theft and criminal damage.
Jamie Adams, defending, said Palmer had a difficult upbringing and was "poorly let down by the people who should have been setting an example". He said Palmer had developed a heroin addiction by the time he was 21-years-old and had "expressed remorse" for carrying out the robbery. Mr Adams added Palmer is now getting mental health support.
Judge Edward Bindloss jailed Palmer for 54 months.
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