A teenager involved in a shop robbery failed to get a cut in his sentence as an appeal judge vowed to protect small businesses.

The 16-year-old boy, who was 15 at the time and cannot be named for legal reasons, was sent to a young offenders' institution after pleading guilty at Southend Crown Court in May to the £280 robbery.

The court heard how on February 5 this year, two 15-year-olds and Thomas Lovell, 20, entered the shop.

The sentencing judge said the two teenagers must have known they were about to commit a serious offence of dishonesty as some attempt had been made to disguise themselves.

The defendant entered with a bag and went straight to where the alcohol was stacked, later saying he believed they were going to take beer and run off.

The CCTV footage revealed him going to Lovell's help when a fight broke out with the shopkeeper.

Lovell produced a knife, but it was accepted the youth had not known he was carrying it.

The youth had a piece of plastic piping, which he said was to be shown when they were leaving the shop if anyone tried to intervene.

The third teenager kept watch at the door.

The judge accepted Lovell was the instigator. Lovell was sentenced to four-and-a-half years youth custody, while the other youth was sentenced to a supervision order for two years.

The defendant was sentenced to two years in youth custody.

A pre-sentence report said the defendant was very remorseful and had been in great fear of Lovell who had assaulted him in the past.

Judge Paget said the youth had no previous convictions, but he told the court: "Small corner shops and sub post offices require protection from the courts and perpetrators of attacks on them should go to prison for a long time."

Published Friday November 1, 2002

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