A MAN has appeared in court accused of robbing a Huddersfield shopkeeper.

John Taylor, of York Avenue, Fartown, was before Kirklees magistrates yesterday.

He faces a charge of robbing Balvinder Singh of £100 on June 24.

The 31-year-old is also accused of aggravated vehicle taking and using a vehicle without insurance.

Prosecutor Alex Bozman said that the charges related to an incident at the Sunner Off Licence on Grimscar Avenue in Birkby.

He said that Mr Singh was working in the shop alone when a man walked in armed with a knife.

The man then demanded that the shopkeeper open the till.

Mr Singh went to fetch a hockey stick and found the man at the till pulling out bank notes.

The prosecutor said that the man ran out of the shop and got into a parked Citroen Saxo. He was pursued by Mr Singh who hit the windscreen with the stick as he drove off.

Taylor denies being responsible for the robbery and car theft.

Magistrates sent the case to be dealt with at crown court and remanded Taylor in custody until that date.