A YOUNG woman has admitted attempting to carry out a robbery at a convenience store armed with a replica semi-automatic weapon.

Rachel Rosemary Baines made the admissions on her first appearance in the case at Durham Crown Court yesterday, only a week after the incident.

The court heard she went into the store, McColl’s, in Oakfield Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, carrying the “weapon”, unsuccessfully demanding money from a male cashier, at 7pm on Thursday, June 18.

She was charged with attempted robbery of the cashier and possession of an imitation firearm, a replica semi-automatic hand gun, with intent to commit an offence and pleaded guilty to both charges.

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, said the “firearm” had been recovered by police.

Baines’ barrister, Kathryn Dodds, told the court that her client wanted to be sentenced at yesterday’s hearing.

Miss Dodds said: “She does have a number of offences on her record and a relevant recent conviction for assault with intent to rob, for which she received a community order on May 18.

“There is an up-to-date psychiatric report, which was prepared for that hearing but, as a result of her plea and the recent conviction, she will now have to assessed as to her ‘dangerousness’.”

Miss Dodds said she had also initially planned to make a bail application, but added: “In the circumstances, I will not pursue a request for bail.”

Judge John Evans agreed that a new pre-sentence Probation Service report would have to be prepared to include an assessment of the danger Baines is believed to pose, given the nature of the latest offence, following so soon after last month’s conviction.

Addressing Baines, Judge Evans said: “You have pleaded guilty to this indictment, attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.

I’ll adjourn for reports.”

Baines, of Kemble Green South, Newton Aycliffe, was remanded back into custody, pending sentence, on July 17.