Smethwick fish and chip shop gun robber is locked up

Trea Richardson and four other masked youths burst into the Lifestyle Fish Bar in Smethwick through the back doors, armed with a nine-inch knife and an imitation firearm before threatening staff and stealing about £400.

The defiant shop owner tried to prevent the robbery by arming himself with a chair and fending off the attackers, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

But after escaping with the money, Richardson kicked out and smashed the front window to the shop, in High Street, said prosecutor Mr David Lees.

During the attack the owner was struck in the face with a stick, causing bruising and a black eye, the court was told.

Richardson, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, have admitted robbery.

Mr Phillip Bradley, defending 20-year-old Richardson, of no fixed address, said his client realised he had to be punished for the offence, which took place at around 9pm on June 24, 2011.

He added: "It was unacceptable behaviour. The reality is that many people who find themselves in this sort of position will take their chance and not admit it, but this man did not do that.

"He accepted from a very early stage that he was responsible and that he must accept his responsibility and face his punishment."

Mr Charnjit Jutla, defending the youth, said that his client had mixed with the wrong crowd and that there had been "a degree of peer pressure".

Judge Martin Walsh sent Richardson to a young offenders institute for three years and gave the youth 18-months detention and training.

He said: "This was a serious offence. A small takeaway was subjected to an attack by a group of you.

"The owner did his best to try and resist the robbery and for his pains, was the victim of physical violence.

"The imitation firearm was pointed at the owner, who was threatened with that gun.

"Another of the group, who has not been identified, was in possession of a knife, which was also used to threaten the owner."