Customer in bookies raid ordeal

Jul 19 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

AN innocent bystander had a knife held to his throat by a robber after being taken hostage as he placed a bet at a Birmingham bookies.

The man had just approached the counter when he was grabbed by the armed thug who threatened to slash his throat unless cash was handed over.

But the knifeman panicked and fled when the cashier hit the alarm button, slashing his victim's neck by accident.

Police said he suffered a two inch gash to his neck but was not seriously hurt.

The incident happened at the Sheldon branch of William Hill bookmakers, on Coventry Road, shortly before midday on Saturday.

Det Sgt Mark Burnell said the robber, who had the word England tattooed on his left forearm in Roman-style writing, had been hanging around the shop for an hour before he pounced when the customer came in.

"The customer was standing at the counter when the offender approached and pushed a craft blade to his throat," he said.

"He shouted at the cashier 'I'll cut him'.

"The cashier pushed the panic alarm and the offender fled."

The offender is described as white, 6ft, in his mid 20s, with dark brown hair that was shaven at the side and longer on top, and sporting a number of tattoos.

Anyone with information can call police on 0845 113 5000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.