'Charity shop worker attacked by full-time burglar with a knife'

A man who openly described himself as a "full-time burglar" has been sentenced to three years in prison after attempting to stab a charity shop manager during a robbery.

Christopher Cook, 46, was caught trying to break into a safe at Veterans At Ease in Byker after entering the building by removing roof tiles, Newcastle Crown Court was told. During the robbery, Cook attempted to stab the manager with a screwdriver before fleeing with jewellery, a radio, cash from the till, and money from a tombola bucket.

Cook, who has a criminal history of 147 offences, pleaded guilty to robbery. On 24 August, the shop manager arrived around 08:00 BST and heard noises coming from an upstairs room. Investigating the sound, he discovered Cook crouched beside the safe, attempting to force it open with a screwdriver.

When confronted, Cook pulled up his hood and made stabbing motions at the manager, leading to a brief struggle. During the one-minute scuffle, he tried to jab the mans arms with the screwdriver. Cook eventually escaped but was arrested shortly afterward at a bus stop with stolen items including jewellery, a two-way radio, 38.65 from the till, and additional tombola money.

Cook admitted to police that he was a "full-time burglar," though he claimed he had found the stolen goods in a skip. The charity shop suffered significant damage to the roof and tiles, costing several thousand pounds to repair, and the robbery had a profound impact on the organization, the manager said in a court statement.

Cooks criminal record is extensive, including 73 dishonesty-related offences, mostly burglaries, dating back to 1992. In his defense, Cook acknowledged the robbery and accepted responsibility for his actions. His lawyer described the incident as a burglary gone very wrong.

Judge Thomas Moran praised the manager for his bravery and highlighted Cooks lengthy criminal record in handing down the three-year sentence.

Author: Natalie Monroe