Published Thursday, 02 February 2012
A shop manager bravely rescued his assistant during an armed robbery after an al (© UTV)
Police claimed the raider deliberately targeted the store on Bingnian Drive, west Belfast before entering wearing a balaclava and gloves.
Ciaran Glennon, 20, of Juniper Park, Dunmurry, faces a charge of attempted robbery over the incident on Wednesday.
Belfast Magistrates' Court was told he claimed to be under pressure to pay off a drugs-related debt.
He was remanded in custody due to the risk of re-offending.
Opposing his release, a police officer said Glennon allegedly knew the shop's working environment.
It was claimed that he put on a mask to hide his identity, went into the shop and raised the wheel brace above his head.
"The only saving grace for the shop assistant was that there was a stock-take ongoing and the manager of the store quite bravely confronted this individual and managed with some assistance to restrain him," the officer said.
He added that Glennon later said he was under pressure to get money for his drugs habit.
"He owes certain individuals money. Who (they are) he will not say."
Defence solicitor Feargal McElhatton said his client accepted being in the shop, where reference was allegedly made to the incident being "a joke".
The lawyer argued there was no threat of Glennon interfering with witnesses if released.
But District Judge Fiona Bagnall held there was a risk of re-offending and remanded the accused in custody to appear again next month.