Sunderland robber carried out two terrifying shop raids in just one hour

Ryan Ellis stormed into Ray's store in Hendon, Sunderland, and warned "give me the ******* till" before repeatedly trying to jump over the shop counter.The 63-year-old female shopkeeper, who was working alone, managed to keep pushing the raider away but was left "very shocked" by her ordeal onDecember 14.An hour later, the 33-year-old serial criminal rived a door from its hinges to get behind the counter at the Premier Store at Villette Road in the cityand helped himself to the contents of the till after a "considerable struggle" with another lone woman worker.Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court the Premier store raid was captured on CCTV and added: "There was a female shopkeeper and she attempted to stop him. Force was used by him."He made a determined effort and managed to push past her."The court heard the victim had to be off work sick after her ordeal.The shop owner said in a statement: "Having seen the footage, I can say the violence used was extreme and judging by the behaviour of the offender onthe footage my worry would be he could have seriously hurt my member of staff or hurt someone else."Ellis, of no fixed address but is from Sunderland, admitted attempted robbery and robbery offences in relation to the raids.He pleaded guilty to burglary at a Spar shop on Ewesley Road in Sunderland on November 25, where a worker's bag, containing sentimental property, wastaken from a staff area.And he pleaded guilty to a burglary at Cleveland Road in the city where jewellery and cash, worth over £5,000 were taken while the owner was out ofthe house for less than an hour on November 20.Ellis also admitted shoplifting DVD players and champagne, worth over £400, from Asda in the city, a dangerous driving offence and assault on anemergency worker after he threw water at a police officer who arrested him after the crime spree.Judge Tim Gittins sentenced Ellis to a total of seven years behind bars, with a five-and-a-half year driving ban.The judge told him: "The attempted robbery and the robbery were committed within an hour of each other. They were both serious."Judge Gittins said Ellis was "abusive and threatening" during the first raid and added: "An hour later you attacked a lone female worker who made attempts to rebuff you."There was a considerable struggle you engaged in with her."She has been left on sick leave as a result of the fear."The court heard Ellis has a long history of drug use, including crack cocaine, and alcohol and was seen staggering around before the shop raids.Judge Gittins warned him: "Sooner or later it is going to kill you, there is no two ways about it."In the meantime you are going to cause misery, not just for the victims but for your family and those who care for you and who you care for."Ellis had shown the court his record of achievements while on remand, which included clean drugs tests and certificates for courses completed.Jamie Adams, defending, said Ellis was "legless" at the time of the offences and "completely incapable and incompetent of making proper decisions".Mr Adams said Ellis started taking drugs as a child and now appreciates the effort and help needed to change.Mr Adams added: "He is sorry for all the distress he had caused others. He has withdrawn from all the drug use and is working with alcohol and drugsservices."