ROBBERS who terrified an off-licence owner with an imitation gun handed themselves in to police after one of them dropped his wallet at the scene.

Bolton Crown Court heard that Robson Tebay and Cameron Fisher held up the Sunny’s in Booth Road, Little Lever, on July 30 after spending the previous evening drinking heavily and taking MDMA and cocaine.

Andrew Mackintosh, prosecuting, told the court how the shop owner’s wife, Iram Tariq, was working at 11am, serving two 10-year-old boys when Tebay and Fisher walked in wearing black coats with their hoods up.

The pair waited until the boys left the shop then Fisher put his right hand into a coat pocket and pulled out a gun. It was later found to be an imitation firearm.

“He pointed it straight at her saying, ‘come on, give us the money,’” said Mr Mackintosh.

“She felt shocked to her bones. She felt she couldn’t move and felt absolutely terrified.”

Mrs Tariq told them there was no money in the till but then handed over £30 to £40 after Fisher pulled the gun back as if loading it and Tebay pulled up his top to reveal a wooden handle, which the shopkeeper thought might be another gun. In fact it was a makeshift knife.

The pair fled, but as they ran, 19-year-old Tebay dropped his wallet, containing his identification.

The robbers threw their weapons into the River Irwell but just two hours later Tebay, realising he had lost his wallet, handed himself into Bolton police station and confessed to the crime.

Tebay told officers that, after taking drugs and drink they had decided to rob the store.

“They didn’t give any reason for the robbery – they thought that it would be ‘cool’,” said Mr Mackintosh.

The following day 21-year-old Fisher went to Bolton Crown Court to find a police officer and also hand himself in.

He told police: “It’s not right leaving my mate with it on his own.”

In a victim impact statement Mrs Tariq said she thought she was going to be shot and is now frightened working in the shop.

Fisher, of Crescent Avenue, Bolton, and Tebay, of Raikes Lane, Swinton, both pleaded guilty to robbery, possessing an imitation firearm with intent and possessing a bladed article.

Thye both appeared at Bolton Crown Court via a video link from prison for sentencing.

Carolyn Smith, defending Tebay and Nicholas Ross, for Fisher, said for both defendants the crime was out of character and they are remorseful.

“He simply can’t explain it to himself,” said Ms Smith, who added that Tebay wants to write to his victim to apologise.

Mr Ross stressed that Fisher, a former groundsman at Liverpool Football Club, has no previous convictions.

“But for his co-operation he would not be facing the justice he concedes he should face,” he added.

The Honorary Recorder of Bolton jailed Tebay and Fisher each for three years and two months.

“It is obvious that these offences have had a very considerable impact on the lady concerned,” said the judge.

“It is apparent, in both your cases, that the consequences of huge amounts of drink and drugs have cause you to be grossly disinhibited.

“This was a truly terrifying offence for the victim. You have both taken steps to show, in the cold light of day, that you wish you had never committed these offences.”