A RAIDER who repeatedly hit an East Lancashire shop assistant with a rock has been jailed for six years at Preston Crown Court.

Judge Andrew Woolman also imposed an extended four-year licence period on McCauley Declan Cook, who has been involved in a string of serious offences since his late teens.

An investigation was launched by police in August after Siraj Bawla was attacked at his general store in Spencer Street, Accrington.

The 51-year-old later recounted how he was hit over the head around half a dozen times during the terrifying incident, which took place around 1.30pm.

Even though Mr Bawla was hit repeatedly he refused to open the till, despite the intruder’s demands, and he later fled.

Cook, 22, was arrested a short time after the episode and later charged with attempted robbery, causing grievous bodily harm and breaching a restraining order by his presence on Spencer Street.

Earlier this year Cook, formerly of Grane Road, Haslingden, but who has most recently been living in Bold Street, Accrington, appeared before Blackburn magistrates after threatening to kill his own mother.

He was given a suspended prison sentence after he made the threats at her home in Clayton-le-Moors, in late July, alongside threats to smash her windows damage her car. He had carried out the threats shortly after being released from a prison sentence.

Cook, when he was aged just 17, was also responsible for robbing on office licence in Lostock Hall.

CCTV cameras captured him entering the shop and brandishing a BB gun at staff, before walking off with a packet of cigarettes and a bottle of alcopop, valued at just £11. The shop assistant began to film the teenager on his mobile phone and Cook threatened to shoot him.

Cook, who had even sprayed the gun black to make it look more authentic, was jailed for four years.