Two men charged after a shop assistant was put in fear by a violent threat pleaded guilty to blackmail on the day they were due to face trial by jury at Worcester Crown Court.
Sam Gleadall and Joseph Smith ordered an employee of the Co-op in St John's, Worcester, to accept £1 for drink and cigarettes worth £18 with a beating-up threat if he didn't comply.
Gleadall, aged 21, of Bransford Road, St John's, and 20-year-old Smith, of Field Road, Worcester, were remanded in custody for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.
The judge was asked by defence counsel to give an indication of sentence before the pair pleaded guilty. Both men now face a 12-month prison term for the crime. Smith must also be sentenced for a wounding offence.
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