Jail for thug after petrol station raid

7:00pm Wednesday 29th March 2006

A ROBBER who smashed a petrol station assistant's face with a truncheon in a terrifying raid has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Naeem Shazad, 21, of Rook Street, Nelson, struck at the Total garage in Eastern Avenue, Burnley, last December and repeatedly attacked worker Julie Alderson as he demanded cash.

Miss Alderson, who suffered a fractured eye socket, thought she was going to die in the attack as Shazad struck her with the 18-inch truncheon, the court was told.

At the time of the robbery Ken Kay, the owner of the group which owns the garage, put up a £1,000 reward and said it was the worst attack on a member of staff in 30 years in the business.

Shazad was found with £120 in blood-stained notes on him the next day, Burnley Crown Court was told.

He also had the truncheon and a hunting knife hidden in his clothing.

He pleaded guilty to robbery and allegations of possessing offensive weapons. Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt told him it was fortunate that Miss Alderson's injuries were not considerably worse.

She added: "The courts will always protect people who work in such circumstances and will sentence severely people like you."

Philip Potter, prosecuting, told the court Miss Alderson was on duty at about 7.30pm when Shazad walked in looking menacing.

Shazad bought some cigarette papers and then started hitting the victim with what she thought was a baseball bat, the court was told.

He was said to have told Miss Alderson: "You should have had the door locked, you stupid bitch."

Mr Potter said Shazad then demanded cash from the till and was handed £20 notes as Miss Alderson begged: "Please don't hit me."

Anthony Cross, defending, said Shazad had no previous convictions.

He added: "Quite how it is that he became involved in these offences is really beyond imagination. It may be something to do with the amount of drugs he was taking."

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