A YOUNG man who held up a York shopkeeper with an imitation firearm was today behind bars awaiting sentence.

Aaron Richard Price, 18, of Thorpe Street, South Bank, York, pleaded guilty to robbing David Muir of cash and cigarettes in D&K Stores, Albemarle Road, on June 17, and possessing a BB gun while he committed an offence.

His solicitor, Jackie Knights, told York Crown Court that Price was not a drug addict and did not have a problem with alcohol, but the traumatic break-up of his parents' marriage could have caused him psychological problems. At her request, Price's case was adjourned until August 6 while a psychological report is prepared.

Judge Paul Hoffman, the Honorary Recorder of York, said: "A lot of the population have marital problems. I am prepared to bet there will be nothing in it. Custody is inevitable."

He remanded Price in prison while the report and a pre-sentence report are prepared.

The Evening Press reported last Friday that Mr Muir, 48, was held up at gunpoint and cash was demanded from the till, shortly before 10pm the previous day.

The brave shopkeeper told the Evening Press that he chased the robber when he made to leave with about £560 in cash, knocking him to the ground.

When the gunman made off down Brunswick Street, he threw the cash in the air, brandished his gun at Mr Muir, and disappeared down a side street.

But seconds later, one of the shop's customers spotted him removing his balaclava, and gave a description to the police.

After an intensive 30-minute search by armed officers and police dog teams, Price was discovered in nearby Southlands Road and arrested on suspicion of robbery.

On Thursday, the Evening Press printed a letter from Mr Muir in which he thanked the police who he said "made my ordeal far less stressful than it might have been".

Updated: 09:27 Saturday, June 26, 2004