A 66-year-old shop worker today told how he was threatened by a robber wielding a bottle.

The thug walked into Unwins off-licence in Maldon Road, Tiptree, at about 6pm yesterday and threatened the relief manager.

He picked up a bottle of beer from the display, walked over to the till and twice demanded money from the worker.

The worker, who has worked for Unwins for 11 years, stood firm and refused. Another customer came into the shop and the suspect walked off empty-handed.

The victim, who lives in Colchester, said: "He threatened me twice and I told him no and he chickened out. It happened so quickly that I didn't really think much off it at the time. But once the police had been I was quite frightened and realised what could have happened."

The shop's manager Stephen Oliver added: "My colleague was brave to stand firm and not hand over the money. We were all very worried when we heard about it."

The suspect was a white man, in his 20s, wearing a dark close knit jumper, camouflage trousers and a dark woollen hat. He had the jumper pulled over his hands and the hat covering his face.

Anyone with information should contact Colchester Police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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