Knife teen jailed

Ordeal: CCTV image of the knifepoint robbery in September 2008

A knife-welding teenager who subjected a shopkeeper to a frightening robbery has been jailed.

The boy, 16, burst into KG Ahmed on Miller Street, Heywood in September last year, where he used a knife to demand cash from the till.

The teen, from Falinge, appeared at Bolton Crown Court today (Thursday 5 March) where he was sentenced to 15 months in a young offenders institute.

Greater Manchester police has confirmed that the shopkeeper was not injured but was left extremely shaken.

CCTV footage, released by the police, showed the boy hanging around outside the shop in the lead up to the robbery and the robbery. It was released in an appeal to identify him.

He was identified by family members as a result of the appeal who contacted the police.

Police Constable Keith Baron from Rochdale CID said: "Being threatened with a knife must be a terrifying ordeal. Robbery is a serious crime and I am glad to see the offender punished for his actions.

"This man was simply going about his daily job before being put in fear of his life. I hope this boy realises the consequences of his actions and learns from his mistakes."