Last updated at 16:24, Friday, 26 October 2012

A MAN accused of being responsible for a shop robbery at knifepoint told police he had travelled to Barrow – but headed back home when he realised he was being left alone at a relative’s address.

Keith Harrop said he visited the town to hand out Christmas presents to family members, but ended up getting a taxi back to Manchester, feeling “disgusted” a niece had arranged a night out and he would be on his own.

Using money he had set aside for taking out relatives the following day, he spent £100 on the lift home.

He denies having any involvement in the crime at Marsh Street Stores in December 2010.

Harrop also told police in interview his niece Bernice had rung him later that night to say “Uncle Keith, you are never going to believe this”, going on to tell him the convenience store had been robbed and someone had been arrested for it.

A detective constable told the court another man had been arrested close to the shop but, when checks were carried out, he had an alibi and so was released without further action.

Harrop, 49, of Royal Oak Road, Manchester, denies carrying out the robbery in which almost £2,000 worth of cash and cigarettes were taken.

The prosecution claim that on that date he had visited Barrow to drop off Christmas presents and that he later confronted his niece in an alleyway, forcing her to help him by checking to see if any customers were inside the shop.

It is alleged she went in and was doing some shopping when the defendant entered the store and put a knife to her throat.

He demanded money and went on to run off with cash and cigarettes.

The trial continues.

First published at 12:47, Friday, 26 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk