ARMED thugs fled a North Belfast convenience store empty-handed after a plucky pensioner fought back by hurling sweets at the would-be robbers.
The drama unfolded at around 7am on Sunday when three hooded men – one of them brandishing a fearsome nine-inch blade – entered Marshalls news-agents on the Oldpark Road.
They threatened the 72-year-old shop assistant and a single customer – also a pensioner – and demanded cash. But the OAP behind the counter refused to open the till and instead threw a box of sweetie lollipops at the raiders, who then took to their heels. The amazing scenes were captured on the shop CCTV.
The proprietor of the shop said this week that the employee had acted on “pure instinct” while police have issued descriptions of the would-be robbers and appealed to the public for information.
