LEISTON: A teenager is facing a custodial sentence after admitting he was the masked raider who stole around �700 in a knife-point robbery at a newsagents.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that it was the third time Lewis Tanner, of Sylvester Road, Leiston, had carried out a robbery.

Tanner was aged 17 when he went into KP Newsagents in High Street, Leiston, on December 28 last year brandishing a carving knife and threatening shopkeeper Thaya Yogarajah.

When Tanner, now 18, appeared in court for his plea and case management hearing he pleaded guilty to robbery and having a carving knife in a public place.

Before remanding Tanner into custody until his sentencing, Judge David Goodin ordered a pre-sentence report.

He then told the teenager: “This is the third time you have been convicted of the offence of robbery. You are only just 18 – 17 when you committed this offence .

“Custody is the only place you can go. The question is for how long and whether you present a danger to the public.”

Tanner was then told his sentencing would take place in the three weeks commencing Tuesday, April 26.

The robbery happened as Mr Yogarajah was coming to the end of his shift at the newsagents.

The raid occurred at around 5.40pm when Tanner, who was wearing a hood and scarf, walked into the shop and demanded cash.

Speaking after the incident Mr Yogarajah, who was back at work the following morning, said the masked robber got away with around �700, mostly in coins.

“A man came in and told me to open the till,” the 25-year-old added. “I said I couldn’t without a key – but then I saw the knife and I opened it.

“I was alone in the shop with him. I could see only his eyes and the knife and I felt fear.”