Robber 'terrified' shop assistant

A hooded robber who terrified a shop assistant with an airgun during a raid in Norfolk has been jailed for five and a half years at Norwich Crown Court.

Soloman Tomkinson, 30, of Avenue Road, Wymondham, asked for 12 other offences to be taken into consideration.

He admitted the robbery at the store in New Buckenham on 25 October 2008, when he grabbed £425 from the till.

Judge Alasdair Darroch said the "terrifying ordeal" had had a serious impact on the woman in the shop.

Identified by DNA

Tomkinson also admitted 12 other offences committed between 1998 and November 2008.

Prosecutor David Wilson said Tomkinson went into the shop with a hood over his head and told the assistant to open the till, but she did not obey immediately.

She pressed a button to summon help and Tomkinson again demanded the till be opened.

He then leaned over and grabbed £425 in cash and escaped in a car, but dropped his gloves and sweatshirt.

Mr Wilson said the assistant feared for her life.

Tomkinson was identified from DNA traces on his right glove.

In an impact statement, the shop-worker said she used to have a "bubbly" personality, but now feared being left alone in the store.

The court heard Tomkinson had a record of 78 previous offences, three committed with a handgun, and was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail in 2001.