A KNIFEMAN who committed a terrifying robbery in Newport was warned by a judge yesterday he faces jail.

Benjamin Sicolo, 22, of no fixed abode, admitted robbing a shopkeeper and his colleague of cash and cigarettes, and possession of a knife, at Sovereign Stores , Corporation Road, on July 28.

He pleaded guilty to both offences at Newport Crown Court yesterday, where judge Rhys Rowlands told him he should expect a custodial sentence when he returns to court in just under three weeks.

Days after the incident, the workers at the Newport newsagents told the Argus how they feared for their lives during the attack when the man, now known to be Sicolo, held a knife to the throat of one of them.

The victim, who did not wish to be named for fear of reprisal, said the robber had been standing in the doorway of the shop for around half an hour before entering to use the cash machine.

He then left the shop, but returned minutes later, at around 9.45pm.

“He grabbed me with one arm and held a knife to my throat with the other. We feared for our lives,” the victim said. “He ordered my colleague to open the till. We had no choice but to give the money, which would have been up to £500.”

The Argus reported how the man’s colleague gave Sicolo some cigarettes and managed to pull him off his co-worker before he ran off.

“I was terrified. It was over in seconds. I thought he would kill us,” he said.

Louise Warren, representing Sicolo, asked judge Rowlands to adjourn sentencing so that a psychiatric report could be prepared.

“He is aware it’s going to be a custodial sentence. There is no application for bail,” she said.

The judge said Sicolo would be eligible for a “significant” reduction in the length of sentence as he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He was remanded in custody until September 4.