Robbery trial told of ‘I’ll go on run’ text
9:18am Friday 31st August 2012 in News
A BOY accused of robbing a newsagent’s shop sent a text message to a girl he had a crush on, saying he would “go on the run” if police came looking for him.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies involvement in the robbery at the Crown Newsagent in Chorley New Road, Horwich , on the afternoon of Monday, May 21.
He sent the texts to the girl after the robbery, Manchester Crown Court was told.
One message said: “I will be here forever baby. I wanted to see you baby one last time because I thought I was getting caught but I think I’m getting away with it.”
Another message described how he would go out of the back door of his house and go on the run from police.
Ciaran Rankin, defending, said the teenager felt encouraged to keep up the pretence that he was involved in the robbery because the girl was responding sympathetically.
The boy accepts being at the till when the robbery took place, but said he did not know his friend was about to carry out an armed robbery.
Giving evidence the boy, said: “I didn’t stand there long, a couple of minutes. I panicked. I didn’t know what to do.
“I couldn’t reach the money or the cigarettes from where I was stood.”
His co-accused, a 15-year-old boy, has been cleared of the robbery charge after no evidence was offered against him.
Another 17-year-old boy and another 15-year-old boy have previously admitted their involvement in the robbery.
The second 17-year-old also admitted possessing an offensive weapon.
The case continues.
