A man who attacked a shop worker with a hammer and attempted to steal cash has been jailed.
Omari Blackburn, 30 was jailed for three years on Friday, 30 November at Croydon Crown Court, London after pleading guilty on Wednesday, 21 November to attempted robbery, assault occasioning ABH and having an offensive weapon.
He received three years’ imprisonment for attempted robbery; nine months’ imprisonment for assault occasioning ABH; and, six months’ imprisonment for possession of an offensive weapon. With each sentence to run concurrently.
The court heard on Sunday, 29 July at approximately 19:15hrs that Blackburn entered an off-licence on London Road armed with a hammer that was hidden under his jumper.
He walked behind the counter holding the hammer above his head and threatened the shop worker, a 50-year-old man, demanding he remove money from the till.
The shop worker refused and a scuffle took place with Blackburn hitting the victim over the head.
A customer who had been at the back of the store when Blackburn walked in came to the victim’s aid and helped him to remove Blackburn from the shop.
Once outside, other members of the public kept Blackburn there until police arrived a few minutes later.
The victim suffered bumps and bruising to his head along with a laceration that required four stitches.
Blackburn was charged on Monday, 30 July.