Sunderland man appears in court to face charges of attempting to rob two city stores

Keaton Cooper, of Trevarren Drive, in Ryhope, entered no pleas when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

He faces two allegations of attempted robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a Class B drug, with the bench sending the case to Newcastle Crown Court.

The 21-year-old was remanded in custody until his next appearance.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation following reports of an attempted knifepoint robbery at the Post Office in Stockton Terrace, Grangetown, just before 7.25am on Monday, March 30.

Staff were threatened with a bladed weapon, but the attacker ran off empty-handed.

Less than 30 minutes later, officers were alerted to a similar incident at the Premier store in Villette Road in Hendon, when a man holding a knife approached the counter but left after being confronted by one of the shop’s staff.