Student admits Gurmail Singh robbery

Mar 10 2010 By Dave Himelfield

A STUDENT has admitted robbing Huddersfield shopkeeper Gurmail Singh two days before he died.

The 17-year-old and an unknown male stole cigarettes from Mr Singh’s convenience shop on February 18.

Huddersfield Youth Court yesterday heard the student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and another male entered Cowcliffe Convenience Stores wearing hoods and scarves across their faces.

The robbers made their way behind the counter and following a brief struggle with Mr Singh, grabbed a handful of cigarettes before running off, magistrates were told.

Mr Singh, 63, had been struck in the face during the struggle and had appeared ‘dishevelled and upset’ following the raid, the court heard.

Magistrates yesterday heard the 17-year-old had convictions for racially aggravated criminal damage, criminal damage and pretending to collect money for charity.

Releasing the A-level student from custody yesterday, bench chairwoman Margaret Sunderland said the 17-year-old would most likely be punished with a community order.