Robber has chilli powder thrown over him by shop worker during raid in Middlesbrough

A knife-wielding robber was caught red-handed in more ways than one… after shop staff threw chilli powder over him.

Video footage captured the moment workers hurled the spice at Paul Christian Callaghan, 45, while they also fended him off with a ladder, stick and advertising sign.

As a result of their actions, he was forced to drop the till he had stolen and fled empty-handed from Ernie’s News in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough. 

This is the moment knife-wielding robber Paul Christian Callaghan, 45, confronted shopkeeper Ramyamuki Ithlayanathan at Ernie’s News in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough

The shop worker called her husband, Thilepan Thillainanathan, who can be seen throwing handfuls of eye-watering chilli powder at Callaghan

The shop worker called her husband, Thilepan Thillainanathan, who can be seen throwing handfuls of eye-watering chilli powder at Callaghan

Callaghan grabbed the till, left the shop and got on his bike with the till under his arm - but the shopkeepers fought back during the incident last July

Callaghan grabbed the till, left the shop and got on his bike with the till under his arm – but the shopkeepers fought back during the incident last July

Callaghan faces a long prison sentence after pleading guilty to the robbery.

He was caught on CCTV walking into the shop, on King’s Road, while covering his face and carrying a large yellow-handled knife and a bag.

He pointed the knife at shopkeeper Ramyamuki Ithlayanathan saying: ‘Give me all the money.’

She called her husband, Thilepan Thillainanathan, who told the robber he could have the money, at about 5pm on July 23 last year.

Ms Ithlayanathan grabbed a stick to hit the robber when he grabbed the till. After leaving the shop, Mr Thillainanathan threw a ladder at Callaghan, who left but then returned and repeated his demands. (Pictured, the couple in their shop)

Ms Ithlayanathan grabbed a stick to hit the robber when he grabbed the till. After leaving the shop, Mr Thillainanathan threw a ladder at Callaghan, who left but then returned and repeated his demands. (Pictured, the couple in their shop)

When Callaghan fled from the shop (pictured), Ms Ithlayanathan followed him, grabbed the bicycle's back wheel and threw an advertising sign at him. Callaghan then swung the knife at her, dropped the till and made off

When Callaghan fled from the shop (pictured), Ms Ithlayanathan followed him, grabbed the bicycle’s back wheel and threw an advertising sign at him. Callaghan then swung the knife at her, dropped the till and made off

But the couple fought back. Ms Ithlayanathan grabbed a stick while Mr Thillainanathan threw a ladder at Callaghan, who left but then returned and repeated his demands.

Mr Thillainanathan then threw handfuls of the eye-watering chilli powder at him.

Callaghan grabbed the till, left the shop and got on his bike with the till under his arm. 

Ms Ithlayanathan followed him, grabbed the bicycle’s back wheel and threw an advertising sign at him. Callaghan then swung the knife at her, dropped the till and made off.

He was later arrested covered in powder, saying: ‘I’m sorry I did it. I never hurt anyone.’

Ms Ithlayanathan said after the robbery: ‘We keep the chilli powder in the kitchen. It is quite strong so it will hurt if you get it in your eyes.’

Callaghan, of Grangetown, went on to deny charges of robbery and threatening a person with a knife.

His trial was cancelled twice before as the defence awaited forensic inquiries and analysis of samples.

Ms Ithlayanathan said after the robbery: 'We keep the chilli powder in the kitchen. It is quite strong so it will hurt if you get it in your eyes'

Ms Ithlayanathan said after the robbery: ‘We keep the chilli powder in the kitchen. It is quite strong so it will hurt if you get it in your eyes’

Inquiries were made about whether Callaghan was ‘subjected to involuntary intoxication at the time of the offence’.

He was finally set to stand trial at Teesside Crown Court yesterday. Through his lawyer Andrew Turton, he asked a judge for an indication of the maximum sentence he would receive if he pleaded guilty.

He had a previous conviction for robbery in the 1990s as well as for theft and assaults.

Judge Sean Morris said the jail term would be no less than five years and one month.

He said he would give a 15 per cent discount on sentence for a guilty plea, which would prevent the victims having to give evidence. No trial took place as, after discussions behind the scenes, he admitted both offences.

Mr Turton said Callaghan was under two community orders at the time of the robbery.

He asked for a pre-sentence report in the ‘unusual circumstances’ of the case.

Judge Morris remanded Callaghan in custody until sentencing on May 15.

He told the defendant of his pleas: ‘It means that two very hard-working people have not had to give evidence. They come first in my book.

‘But you will receive a lengthy prison sentence. And hopefully this time it might actually teach you a lesson. Take him down.’



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