KNIFE V SPICE
Hero shopkeepers fight off knife-wielding robber with ladder, stick, advertising sign – and chilli powder
Brave shop owners fought off a knifeman attempting to rob their store in Middlesbrough by covering him in chilli powder
HERO shopkeepers fought off a knife-wielding robber - by throwing chilli powder in his face.
Ramyamuki Ithlayanathan and her husband Thilepan Thillainanathan bravely hurled the spice in the raider's face as he threatened them with a knife at Ernie's News in Middlesbrough.
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CCTV has captured the moment Paul Christian Callaghan grabs the till before he is confronted with the pair, who as well as the chilli powder used a ladder, stick and advertising sign to fend him off.
Now the 45-year-old has been told he faces a long prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to the robbery.
Callaghan walked into the shop in North Ormesby with his face covered and carrying a large yellow-handled knife and a bag.
He pointed the knife at shopkeeper Ramyamuki and said: “Give me all the money.”
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She called her husband, Thilepan , who told the robber he could have the money, at about 5pm on July 23 last year.
But then the couple fought back.
Ramyamuki grabbed a stick while Thilepan threw ladders at Callaghan.
He tried to flee returned to demand the money again.
Thilepan threw handfuls of chilli powder at him and Callaghan grabbed the till, left the shop and got on his bike with the till under his arm.
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But Ramyamuki followed him, grabbed the bicycle’s back wheel and threw an advertising sign at him.
Callaghan swung the knife at her, before he dropped the till and fled.
He was later arrested covered in powder, saying: “I’m sorry I did it. I never hurt anyone.”
Ramyamuki said after the robbery: “We keep the chilli powder in the kitchen. It is quite strong so it will hurt if you get it in your eyes.”
Callaghan, of St Nicholas Court, Grangetown, denied robbery charges and threatening a person with a knife.
His trial was cancelled twice as the defence waited for forensic inquiries and analysis of samples.
Inquiries were made about whether Callaghan was “subjected to involuntary intoxication at the time of the offence”.
He was finally set to stand trial at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.
Through his lawyer Andrew Turton, he asked a judge for an indication of the maximum sentence he would receive if he pleaded guilty.
He had a previous conviction for robbery in the 1990s as well as for theft and assaults.
Judge Sean Morris said the jail term would be no less than five years and one month.
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He said he would give a 15% discount on sentence for a guilty plea, which would prevent the victims having to give evidence.
He then admitted both offences.
Mr Turton said Callaghan was under two community orders at the time of the robbery.
He asked for a pre-sentence report in the “unusual circumstances” of the case.
Judge Morris remanded Callaghan in custody until sentencing on May 15.
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