Following a horrific attempted robbery in a salon in Stoke-on-Trent, a masked knifeman yelled, “Where’s the money?” Targeting KG Hair in Dresden, Damon Morris wore a tartan scarf with eye holes cut out.
The 49-year-old fooled his neighbor into dropping him off and collecting him up before and after the raid, according to evidence presented at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Morris continually questioned salon owner Kimberley Grocott, asking where the cash, safe, and till were, while brandishing a 13- to 15-cm blade in front of a client. January 13, 2019, just after 5:00 p.m.
terrified mother of three Kimberley showed that she had no cash in her pocketbook or handbag and disclosed that she did not have a till or a safe. She then boldly fled her salon and phoned the police on her own initiative, and Morris was captured on camera exiting the establishment. The defendant admitted guilt to attempted robbery and has already been in custody for six years.
The pros
ecutor, Richard Davenport, stated: “The defendant pointed at Ms. Grocott with a knife between a 13 to 15 centimeter silver blade and a brown handle. He entered the hairdresser’s with a red tartan scarf covering his face with holes cut for his lips and eyes. The victim was upset, afraid, frightened, and concerned for the security of her customers.
She was afraid of being attacked, even though she didn’t want to give him her hard-earned money. She led the defendant under the desk to demonstrate that there was no till or safe while he remained about a meter away and pointed the knife at her. His eyes fell onto her purse, which was resting on the windowsill. She demonstrated to him.
Morris was taken into custody at his residence on Barlaston Road in Newstead. He already has 36 convictions for 144 offenses, most of them are shoplifting, the court was informed.
Kimberley described in her own victim statement how the event had traumatized her and how she now experiences anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations, and difficulty falling asleep. She is receiving medical attention to help her deal with the trauma, and she feels terrified and vulnerable both at work and at home.
Morris had done a great deal of harm to her company, her life, and the lives of her clients, she said, calling him ‘pure evil’. Since the attempted robbery, Kimberley has lost employees and clients, as well as the dream she had since she was 14 years old and the money she had saved for it.
