A MAN has admitted robbing a shop while wearing a jumper around his head as a disguise - with his face completely on show.

Michael Thirling used force against a shop worker to snatch cash from the till at Sue’s Store in Trimdon Grange, near Sedgefield.

The 27-year-old had been in the shop only an hour earlier on the afternoon of Friday, July 27, when he stole two cans of alcohol.

Durham Crown Court heard the incident had left the woman fearing for her safety at work.

CCTV captured during the robbery was shown to the court at the request of prosecutor Jenny Haigh.

In the short footage Thirling can be seen entering the store, in Redesdale Court, with a jumper on the top of his head and tied around his neck.

Another customer is being served at the till and he hovers behind her until she leaves.

There appears to be some sort of transaction between the pair, resulting in the shop-keeper opening the till, at which point Thirling dives across the counter.

A struggle lasting seconds ensues between the defendant and the victim until Thirling manages to grab a sum of just more than £100 before running out of the store.

In an impact statement, read by Ms Haigh, the victim said: “I just don’t feel safe in the shop now this has happened.”

Appearing via video link from HMP Durham, Thirling, of Station Road West, Trimdon Station, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and another count of robbery.

Lewis Kerr, mitigating, told the court the defendant was a “long-standing alcoholic” and requested the case was stood down to allow for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Judge Christopher Prince told Thirling to expect a custodial sentence and adjourned the matter to allow for reports and an updated victim impact statement to be carried out and submitted.

Thirling remains in custody and will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, September 28.