A MAN who disguised himself in a 'witch outfit' with a machete in his handbag, before carrying out a terrifying robbery at a Newport shop, has been given a life-sentence.

Nicholas Overton, 39, brandished a machete and demanded money from staff at the Co-op in Cromwell Road, Newport, leading to panic at the store with customers, including two boys, and staff fleeing in the incident on July 7.

Overton, who previously pleaded guilty to robbery, having an offensive weapon, dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen, attracted attention in the shop due to his dress, Cardiff Crown Court heard on Friday.

South Wales Argus:

JAILED: Nicholas Overton

Dressed in a blonde wig with a long black dress and hat, Overton looked like “a witch out of a pantomime”, said Julian Greenwood, prosecuting.

But suddenly while queuing in the store, Overton produced a machete and demanded money, telling staff to open the till.

“At that moment panic set in and the two ladies behind the till disappeared and fled with customers including two small boys out into the street,” said Mr Greenwood, prosecuting.

Overton, of Lochaber Road, London, then confronted the team leader at the store who was down an aisle and ‘frogmarched’ him towards the tills.

Mr Greenwood, prosecuting, said CCTV showed Overton filling carrier bags with money, before fleeing in his witch’s outfit.

Two brothers who had been in the queue chased after the robber dressed as a witch and managed to record Overton’s registration plate as he drove off in a Vauxhall Vectra.

The registration plate was reported to the police and in the early hours of the next day police pursued the vehicle from Caerleon Road.

The car was driven narrow streets in Caerleon, where the speed limit is between 20mph and 30mph at speeds of between 60mph and 70mph.

Police stopped the car with the use of a stinger and Overton was found hiding in a corner of a garden, the court heard.

In victim impact statements read out in court, staff said they were “shocked and scared”, with one saying she “felt it was a terrorist attack.”

Mr Greenwood, prosecuting, said Overton had the “most appalling” criminal record, having been previously sentenced for more than 20 robberies.

Hilary Roberts, defending, said Overton had an addiction to class A drugs, which had been “the scourge” of his life.

He said Overton was an intelligent man, who had previously started up a business and employed other people when he had stayed away from drugs.

Mr Roberts said Overton was ‘ashamed’ of the effect his crimes had on the victims and could not explain his behaviour when intoxicated.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins, sentencing, said he was in no doubt Overton was a ‘dangerous offender’ who posed a significant risk of harm due to the manner of his previous offences.

He imposed a life sentence with a minimum of four years, explaining that if and when released, Overton would remain on licence for the rest of his life.