Youth's gunpoint horror

This is the terrifying moment an armed robber aimed a shotgun at a Wolverhampton shop worker and warned: "You've got five seconds to open your till."

Right: The terrifying raid at Spar is captured on CCTV. Crime number: 20G1/11659/06

Brave Grant Kerrs (pictured below), aged 21, refused to give in even after the thug menacingly began counting down the seconds. The frustrated robber fled with £200 worth of Lottery scratchcards after Grant triggered an attack alarm. Police were today hunting the gunman and released this CCTV image of the robbery at Spar in Aspen Way, Merridale.

He said today: "I looked up and he just looked at me and said 'You've got five seconds to open your till.'

"I thought he was joking because he was a scrawny guy. I asked him three times in all if he was serious.

"He said 'Yes, I'm, serious'. Then he started getting angry and counting down. He got to three. I told him I couldn't open the till because the keys were in the back.

"I assumed it was definitely a gun and we could have died at any moment.

"I refused to give him the money, naturally. It was only after he was gone I was a bit shaky. There was no way I was going to give him the money. It's my workplace and I think a lot of my work."

The drama unfolded at around 5.40pm on December 13 last year.

Pc Ron Reid, of Bilston Street police, said: "The person pictured entered the shop and wandered around the store for a few minutes.

"He then approached the counter and threatened a member of staff to open the till. Whilst doing this he showed the member of staff what looked like the barrel of a firearm concealed up his coat sleeve.

"The staff member managed to activate the attack alarm at which the offender made of with a scratchcard dispenser containing approximately £200 worth of National Lottery scratchcards."

Exclusive by Mike Woods