A judge has praised the gallantry and bravery of a shop assistant who continued to serve customers for ten minutes after an attempted armed robbery.

The shop assistant, who the Packet has decided to identify only by her initials of SK, was working behind the counter of the Londis Store in Coinagehall Street, Helston on September 2 this year when 24-year-old Toby Williamson entered.

Williamson from Hayle appeared at Truro Crown Court today for sentencing by Judge Robert Linford after pleading guilty to attempted robbery of the store and possession of an imitation firearm at an earlier hearing.

Falmouth Packet: Toby WilliamsonToby Williamson (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

Emily Cook prosecuting told His Honour Judge Robert Linford that Williamson had entered the store at around 9.30pm wearing a red puffa jacket with the hood up.

Because the store has a policy of asking people to lower their hoods due to shoplifting SK, who was working alone in the shop, asked him to do so.

He ignored her twice and then came up to the counter and produced a gun from his pocket, pointed it directly at her demanded everything from behind the till.

“She told him ‘Don’t be stupid, that’s not a real gun’ which he replied that ‘it’s real’.” She told him she was going to hit the panic button and he left the store.

In interview she said he had pin prick pupils and appeared to be under the influence of something other than alcohol.

CCTV of the incident played to the court showed Williamson walking up the counter taking the gun from his pocket and pointing it at the woman and then leaving. It was all over in a matter of seconds.

“She went on to serve customers for another ten minutes before a friend entered and she told her what had happened,” said the prosecution. “The friend then told her she must call the police.”

After leaving the shop Williamson went across the road to the Wetherspoons pub and sat on a table on his own. When he came up to the counter, staff refused to serve him because they thought he was drunk. He played on a fruit machine and then left heading towards his home address where he was arrested two days later.

She said SK was shaken up by the incident but had continued to work at the shop.

However in personal impact statement she said she continued to feel on edge working at the store and nervous if someone similar to Williamson came in or someone had their hands in their pockets.

It had made her extremely worried and she had trouble sleeping and had been put on medication for her anxiety.

Defending Williamson, Ramsey Quaife told Judge Linford that the 24-year-old’s mental health had got out of control when it had been combined with alcohol.

He said Williamson was a changed man when medicated and sober.

“He wants to express his remorse to SK for what he did,” he said. “He understands this must have frightened her and he has asked to apologise through me to SK.”

His honour Judge Linford told Williamson that whilst the subject of a community order for offences of dishonesty he went into the Londis store.

“Only disguised in a red jacket with the hood up but your face was clearly seen by shopworker,” he said. “You went to the counter and produced an imitation firearm which you pointed at SK behind the counter which no doubt you frightened her. But what you produced in her reaction was one of gallantry and bravery.

“She said ‘That’s not a real gun’ and pressed or made to press the panic alarm. You left with nothing.

“She deserves to be commended for her bravery and she should be proud of herself for what she did and you should be totally ashamed of what you did and you are.”

He said it was quite clear that Williamson had serious issues with his mental health.

Sentencing him, His honour Judge Linford said Williamson had expressed remorse for his actions and he had in mind that going to jail would cause him to lose contact with his children.

He said after hearing from Mr Quaife and having read two character reference letters from his parents and a woman called Scarlett he was reducing the sentence by a third.

For the attempted robbery Williamson was sentenced to 32 months in prison and for possession of the imitation firearm he was sentenced to 16 months in prison to run concurrently. This meant a total sentence of 32 months.

Detective constable Bloem from Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: “This was a terrifying incident for the staff member involved having a firearm pointed towards them. The staff member was just doing her job and is still recovering from their ordeal.

“I am glad that the courts have acknowledged the seriousness of the offence and the danger this individual presents to the general public with the prison sentence handed down today”