Drunk dragged pregnant shop worker over till in attempted robbery

Wayne Thomas attended the Morrisons Daily store on Lovely Lane with the plan to steal beers and make a quick exit. But when he found they had none in stock, he instead chose to terrorise the innocent shop worker standing behind the till in an attempt to rob tobacco.

The 41-year-old appeared before Liverpool Crown Court via video link for sentencing on Friday after pleading guilty to one count of attempted robbery.

Prosecuting, Francis Wilmoth said the offence took place on July 23.

He told the court how Thomas, of Bewsey Road, was homeless at the time and entered the shop looking to rob beer, having been heavily under the influence of alcohol.

However, there was no beer available in the Morrisons store and so he approached the counter where the victim, who was pregnant at the time, was standing waiting to serve him.

He asked for tobacco before leaning over and grabbing the woman’s wrist, dragging her forwards over the counter.

Mr Wilmoth added: “Its shows on the CCTV that the complainant is visibly shaken. She had to attend hospital after it due to her pregnancy.”

Cheshire Police officers attended the store and arrested Thomas.

 In an interview he described himself as ‘pissed out of his head’ and stated that he had not realised at the time the victim was pregnant.

Thomas also told officers that he had no money to pay for the tobacco.

The offence took place at Morrisons Daily on Lovely Lane (Image: Google Maps)

“The victim was checked over at the hospital and was shocked and could not stop crying after the incident,” the prosecutor told the court.

“She disclosed that she remained anxious at work and was unable to complete her usual tasks. She no longer feels safe.”

Thomas has 15 previous convictions for 26 offences and is currently already serving time after stashing £10,000 of drugs, including cocaine and heroin in the U-bend of his prison cell at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham.

Defending, David Rose said his client ‘expressed remorse once he discovered more information about the victim’ and her pregnancy.

“It was not a sophisticated pre-planned robbery. He was desperate and homeless. He had had all his belongings burnt while camping in the woods homeless,” Mr Rose said.

“He did not try to disguise his appearance; it was an escapade that was doomed to fail.

“This was a till-snatching that has gone wrong.”

Concluding the sentencing, honour judge Crangle handed Thomas a 20-month jail sentence.