Last updated at 16:19, Tuesday, 23 October 2012

A MAN forced his niece to help him rob a corner shop in Barrow – and then held a knife to her throat inside the premises, a court heard.

Keith Harrop has been accused of being the man who demanded money and escaped with nearly £2,000 worth of cash and cigarettes.

The 49-year-old of Royal Oak Road, Manchester, is on trial in Preston Crown Court where he denies a charge of robbery.

At the start of the trial, Miss Amanda Johnson, prosecuting, said although the defendant lived in Wythenshawe, he had extended family in Barrow.

On December 2, 2010, he had travelled up to drop off Christmas presents.

After doing that he ended up at the home of his niece, Bernice Harrop.

Later she was walking along an alleyway when she was suddenly grabbed from behind, spun around and confronted by her uncle, claim the prosecution.

He was dressed in black with his hood up. He told her he was going to rob the convenience store and she had to help him by going in to see if anyone else was in there, said Miss Johnson. She protested, saying she did not want to be involved, but he told her she would get hurt if she did not obey.

Miss Johnson said: “He said that bikers would come from Manchester to harm her. She was scared.”

She went in and was doing some shopping when the defendant was said to have entered, with a scarf wrapped around his face.

Miss Johnson added: “He came up behind Miss Harrop as she was talking to the assistant and put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her head back.

“With his right hand he held a knife – similar to a steak knife – against her throat. Both women were shocked and screaming.”

It is alleged Harrop put a holdall on the counter and demanded money. He ran from the shop with cash and cigarettes.

Bernice Harrop was left shaking and crying.

However, at the time she did not tell police he was the robber, said the prosecution, because she was scared of what would happen.

The following week she was arrested and interviewed. She then provided her uncle’s name.

The court was told that a man had taken a taxi from Barrow to the Manchester area, paying £100 for the £95 fare and telling the driver to keep the change. The man spoke of having to catch a flight to Malaga.

He stopped off at an Ulverston off licence to buy cans of lager before asking to be dropped off in Wythenshawe. When questioned by police Harrop suggested his niece had fabricated the whole tale. The trial continues.

First published at 10:13, Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk