A MAN who robbed a shop while still wearing a hospital tag has been put behind bars.

Paul Skidmore, 38, left a female shop worker “physically sick” after he pinned her up against the counter during the terrifying ordeal at the ‘Best One’ convenience store on Ocean Road, South Shields, in August.

After the 65-year-old employee, in her 60s, saw Skidmore placing bottles of alcohol into his bag without paying she ordered him to put the items back, which he initially agreed to.

But shortly after, Skidmore forced his way through a ‘staff only’ door and demanded the woman to empty the till, before pinning her up against the counter as she attempted to press the panic button.

Officers identified Skidmore from the store’s CCTV and learned he had been discharged from South Tyneside Hospital just hours earlier, and was still wearing his tag at the time of the robbery.

Skidmore, of no fixed abode, was arrested and admitted robbery at Newcastle Crown Court on September 12.

On Friday, he was jailed for two years.

Detective Constable David Horsley, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a disgraceful crime that left a woman terrified for her life.

“By committing this selfish act, Skidmore showed a disregard for her welfare and used his strength to overpower her as she attempted to call for help.

“He showed no remorse throughout the investigation and made the victim attempt to pick him out in an identification procedure, which will have caused even further distress.”