Knifeman told Bargain Booze worker ‘don’t be a hero’

A former Morrisons store manager is back to his “old ways” and has been jailed after attacking Bargain Booze armed with a knife.

Thomas McNulty entered the off-licence holding the gun and told a shopkeeper “don’t be a hero”. But a brave customer stepped in and wrestled the masked robber to the ground.

Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Thursday, that the 57-year-old went to the premises on Brighton Street in Wallasey with his face covered and carrying a knife at around 3.30pm on April 9 this year. McNulty, of Littledale Road, then threatened an employee with the blade and told them “not to be a hero”.

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Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how he ordered the worker to open the till and took around £85 in cash. The defendant was said to have thrown the knife to the ground when a customer entered the store, and the customer later pushed him to the ground and tackled him before being arrested by police.

McNulty has a total of 31 previous convictions for 66 offenses dating back to 1978. However, he stayed out of trouble with the law between 2005 and 2015 and then again from 2017 to this year.

John Weate, defending, told the court: “Here is a defendant who is 57 years old with an extremely long record. There are two breaks in that record.

“The defendant is originally from the Wirral area. He, from a very young age, became deeply involved in class A drug abuse and acquired a long list of convictions. From 2005 to 2015, he even found a job. It worked initially. at the workshop at Morrisons and went up to the manager.

“He only gave up that job when his mom and dad got sick. They both died in quick succession. In fact, then he could not cope with mourning. As night follows day, his old habits resume and he wakes up to himself. controlled drug abuse.

“He is ashamed to be in this position. He expresses, in my opinion, a sincere remorse for being in this position.

“He knows he will be sentenced to prison. He intends to accept this and make every effort to get back to where he was from 2005 to 2015.”

McNulty admitted robbery and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was jailed for three years.

Sentencing, Judge David Aubrey KC said: “You have a very unattractive record. It is littered with dishonesty offences, but it is fair to point out that there are two considerable breaks on your record.

“Fear must have been instilled in those who had worked at that Bargain Booze. This was an extremely serious crime of robbery.

“The employee must have felt anxious and fearful of what might or might happen. A brave customer noticed the robbery and pushed you away.

“You have had a number of problems in the past. I bear in mind your age and that the last time you served a custodial sentence was in 2003.”

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