A DEFIANT shop assistant saw off a machete raider with a mop.

The robber walked into the Supersave store in Newcastle, and made his way to the counter.

He then pulled a machete from under his jacket and demanded money.

However, shopkeeper Harry Hussain held his nerve and refused to hand over money.

Instead, Mr Hussain grabbed a mop and threatened to hit the teenage thief, who ran off empty-handed.

Mr Hussain, 40, who two years ago fought off another raider and needed ten stitches in his head as a result, said he was adamant he would not hand over money.

He said: “He just came in and told me to give him the money.

“When I said no, he pulled out a machete or a knife from his coat. I was standing behind the counter and I moved to the right to grab the mop.

“He then bent down and put the knife back before running away. I was just really determined he would not take the money.”

The incident took place at about 6.30pm on Friday.

The robber was white, in his late teens, and wore black trousers and a black hooded jacket with the hood obscuring his face.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845-60-60-24-7.