Sunderland men jailed for over 34 years for 'vicious' ammonia attack and £5k robbery of shopkeeper

Three men, including two from Sunderland, have been jailed for their part in a £5,000 robbery in which a shopkeeper was sprayed in the face with ammonia.
From left, Rikki Ward, Paul Rowntree and Ross Morton spend money they stole in a robbery at a JD Sports store.From left, Rikki Ward, Paul Rowntree and Ross Morton spend money they stole in a robbery at a JD Sports store.
From left, Rikki Ward, Paul Rowntree and Ross Morton spend money they stole in a robbery at a JD Sports store.

The trio hatched a plot to rob Neil Warner, the manager of the Costcutter shop in Dawlish, Devon, of £5,129.90 in cash in January

Mr Warner was ambushed by robbers Rikki Ward, who sprayed undiluted ammonia into his face while accomplice Paul Rowntree grabbed a bag which contained the takings from the shop.

Rikki Ward.Rikki Ward.
Rikki Ward.
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Mr Warner suffered partial blindness in one eye but would probably have lost his sight but for passers-by, who took him into an optician’s shop.

Ward and Rowntree both fled up a side alley and through gardens before being picked up and driven to a country lane at nearby Ashcombe where they threw their jackets, masks and gloves out of the window.

The three were seen sometime later spending money at a JD Sports shop.

Ward’s DNA was found on the discarded ammonia bottle and he admitted his part in the raid but Rowntree denied being involved.

Paul Rowntree.Paul Rowntree.
Paul Rowntree.
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He was found guilty after a jury at Exeter Crown Court was shown CCTV of him laying in wait before the attack.

Getaway driver Ross Morton claimed he had no idea his two passengers had just carried out a robbery but was found guilty after phone evidence showed he had gone through Ashcombe and CCTV showed him going on a £300 shopping spree with the robbers after driving them to Torquay

Rowntree, 37, of Oswald Street, Sunderland, but who was staying at Exeter Road, Dawlish, was jailed for 19 years; Ward, 28, of Chatham Road, Hylton Castle, Sunderland, was jailed for 15 years and three months; and Morton, 29, from Dawlish, was jailed for three years.

Following their convictions senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Mike Jones, said: “We welcome the jailing of Rikki Ward and Paul Rowntree and Ross Morton who were responsible for the unprovoked and cowardly attack of Neil Warner in Dawlish in January.

Rikki Ward and Paul Rowntree pictured on CCTV at the time of the robbery.Rikki Ward and Paul Rowntree pictured on CCTV at the time of the robbery.
Rikki Ward and Paul Rowntree pictured on CCTV at the time of the robbery.
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“Mr Warner is a normal hard working member of the community, who ran the Dawlish branch of Costcutter.

"He was viciously attacked by Ward and Rowntree who sprayed him in the face with the ammonia and stole in the region of £5,100 takings; Ross Morton acted as their getaway driver and helped to cover up Rowntree’s and Ward’s actions.

“Having arrived in Torquay the three men were seen laughing and joking in JD Sports spending their ill-gotten gains, without so much as a care regarding the devastation they had left behind in Dawlish.

"These men thought they had planned this robbery to perfection.

The Costcutter shop in Queen Street, Dawlish, Devon. Copyright Google Maps.The Costcutter shop in Queen Street, Dawlish, Devon. Copyright Google Maps.
The Costcutter shop in Queen Street, Dawlish, Devon. Copyright Google Maps.
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"The one thing these men did not factor into their plans was the skills of the staff in Devon and Cornwall police.

“This was a huge joint team effort by the local officers and staff in South Devon and all of my Detectives who worked tirelessly to bring these men to justice.

"I would particularly like to thank DS Darren Harvey who was the officer in the case, who with colleagues in Teignbridge and South Hams CID put together this case.

“I would like to thank the Dawlish community who immediately came to Mr Warner’ assistance following this attack, he was taken to a local opticians who spent a significant time washing out his eyes and face. I believe this action has saved his sight in his left eye.

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“I would also like to thank the jury who listened carefully and diligently to the evidence and returned the guilty verdicts against these dangerous men.

“Finally I would like to commend Mr Warner and his family.

Rikki Ward.Rikki Ward.
Rikki Ward.

"I have met Mr Warner on a number of occasions and quite simply he one of the bravest and most genuine men I have met.

"His life and his family’s life has been turned upside-down by these cowards.

“His long fight to recover some of his life continues and I can only hope that the sentences that these men receive goes some way to helping him recover from this attack.”