A BIZARRE robbery attempt at a Spanish restaurant was probably, “a cry for help”, by the perpetrator, a court heard

Sophie Newman knocked at the door of El Coto, in Hallgarth Street, Durham, at 11.30am on May 20 using the ruse of asking to use the toilet.

A member of staff setting tables prior to the lunch-time opening allowed her in and pointed upstairs, where she could find the ladies’ convenience.

But, minutes later Newman re-emerged and confronted the restaurant worker behind the counter, saying: “The till, the money”.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court the staff member said Newman seemed to produce something gold and round from a pocket, which was later thought to have been nothing more than an ear-ring.

Newman tried to grab the woman’s mobile phone, but she managed to retrieve it, before the defendant fled the premises.

Mr Dodds said Newman then headed to a nearby drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, where she embellished the incident, giving an account to staff that she had robbed someone, after threatening them with a shard from a smashed bottle.

He added that in reality, no weapon was used and no physical harm befell the woman working in the restaurant.

Newman, 24, of North View, Bearpark, near Durham, admitted a charge of robbery at a previous hearing.

Sentence was adjourned to allow a psychiatric report to be prepared on the defendant.

Joe Hedworth, mitigating, told the sentencing hearing that the report confirmed Newman has mental health problems, compounded by her drug issues.

Mr Hedworth said Newman is, “greatly ashamed and deeply remorseful” over the incident.

“It was a desperate cry for help. That’s what she said.

“She wasn’t thinking straight and needed medication.

“She’s an extremely damaged and vulnerable young lady who hasn’t had the best of starts in life.”

Recorder Anton Lodge QC told Newman: “You were clearly under considerable strain at the time, and addicted to drugs.”

He imposed a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a Probation Service-supervised rehabilitation activity programme requirement for up to 60 days.