Terror at city salon

James Collins walked into His and Her's salon, in Broad Street, and asked manager Michael Stone to go into a back room with him.

Mr Stone told Worcester Crown Court that Collins was given cash from the till, but said he wanted "real money" and then threatened to cut off his finger with the cleaver if he did not hand over his gold ring.

Staff evacuated a customer and his family before a policeman and a security officer overpowered Collins, said Brett Stevenson, prosecuting.

The 22-year-old alleged that Mr Stone had abused him when he was a 16-year-old runaway.

But Mr Stone, whose wife owns the salon, said he had never seen the defendant before. Collins, of Tallow Hill, Worcester, denies robbing Mr Stone of £150 and a gold ring on Tuesday, March 5, this year.

He admits going into the hairdressers and being given money from the till, said Lee Marklew, defending.

But he claimed Mr Stone's "worst nightmare came true" on that day because he recognised Collins from the past.

He walked in about 4.40pm when Mr Stone was cutting David Roden-Smith's hair. He was accompanied by his wife Pauline and their son.

Collins asked Mr Stone if they could talk and they went into a back room where Collins produced the meat cleaver from his jacket, said Mr Stevenson.

Mr Stone became distressed as he described how Collins took his ring, a 21st birthday present from his mother.

He said Collins accused him of abuse years ago, but added: "I don't know this person. I was bewildered what was happening from such an aggressive person."

Under cross-examination, Mr Marklew alleged that Mr Stone wanted Collins to have money from the till and then get out of his life.

Salon worker Deborah Loader told the court "we were all very scared" and said Collins made threats to kill Mr Stone, herself and a fellow employee.

She managed to move Mrs Roden-Smith and her son in to CrownGate Shopping Centre before police moved in. The trial continues.