A shop worker in Aberdeen has described the moment she spotted her teenage colleague being threatened with a knife.
The 18-year-old was covering the floor at Wowzie sweet shop on St Andrew Street when a man walked in and demanded cash on Friday night.
The culprit made off with about £80 – but staff were more concerned about their young worker than the cash.
Yesterday, shop worker Marisha Walker revealed that she had been downstairs in the shop when she heard someone enter abruptly at about 8pm.
When she looked at the CCTV monitor she saw her colleague, an 18-year-old student who did not wish to be named, being told to open the till by the man brandishing the knife.
Miss Walker said: “As soon as I saw it I rushed upstairs and grabbed my colleague and took him behind the ice cream store.
“The man took what he could and then went to the door.
“I went to see where he had gone and he looked back at me before heading down Charlotte Gardens.”
Wowzie is owned by Louise Dawson, who was informed later on in the night.
“I’ve had the shop for almost seven years and nothing like this has ever happened before,” she said.
“We’ve had a few door handles stolen but nothing like this.
“The money is not the most important thing, it was around £80, what is worrying is that someone used a knife one of our staff members.”
The student was not injured but was left shaken by the robbery.
He has exams this week and will decide in January whether to return to work.
Police have launched a search for the man who is described as 5ft 9in, with a medium build.
At the time of the incident he was wearing a blue jacket with a hood and light trousers.
Detective Constable Emma Forbes said: “The Charlotte Street area would have been busy at the time of the crime and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area or recognises the description to come forward with any information they may have.”
Councillor Michael Hutchison, of the George Street and Harbour ward, spoke of his horror at the incident.
He said: “This is totally unacceptable, I hope the police find whoever was behind this and that he is brought to justice.
“I hope a heavy sentence is given out to deter others.
“I hope that the young man behind the counter is ok in the long term.”