Knife teen jailed

Liverpool Crown Court heard that James Cronin carried out two raids on shops - the second while on bail - armed with a knife and wearing a balaclava.

On Thursday, Judge David Aubrey told the 19-year-old: "I must send out a message to deter you and others because small businesses are particularly susceptible to attack and are easy targets.

"The courts must do all they can to protect those who work in such premises and severe sentences must be imposed."

Cronin, of Wensley Road, Lowton, first struck at High Street News in Golborne on December 19 last year, after having been in to the shop four or five times that evening.

The youth put his hand in his pocket as if he had a weapon and demanded money from a terrified woman assistant.

She handed over £310 cash before he fled.

He was later arrested and picked out in an identity parade.

While on bail, he struck at Kim's newsagent's in Newton Road, Lowton.

Andrew Downie, prosecuting, said Cronin tried to buy a newspaper but did not have enough money and left the shop.

He came back wearing a full-face balaclava.

Mr Downie said: "He had a knife in his right hand which had a six-inch serrated blade.

"He was waving it around about three feet from her and she was terrified."

Cronin demanded money but the assistant grabbed a craft knife used for opening newspaper parcels and pointed it at him.

The teenager tried to get behind the counter. The assistant called for her son, even though she knew he was not in, and Cronin fled empty-handed.

He pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery.

Cronin's barrister, Dick Dawson, said that his client had only committed minor offences before.

He said Cronin was wearing the balaclava as a beanie hat and had not gone into the shop with the intention to rob it.

The day before that offence Cronin had taken drink and drugs and had not slept all night - and was carrying the knife because of threats that had been made against him.