A MAN who assaulted a shopworker and racially abused him after being asked for ID has been sent to jail.

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Louis Moran, 19, was jailed for robbery and breach of a suspended sentence at Liverpool Crown Court. 

At around 8.45am on Sunday, February 13 this year, Moran entered the Best One shop on Charles Street to purchase cigarettes. 

When the member of staff, a man, asked Moran for ID, Moran directed racial slurs towards him, assaulted him and took the cigarettes. 

Moran left the scene and the member of staff suffered a minor injury to his face. 

St Helens Star: The robbery happened at Best One on Charles Street, St HelensThe robbery happened at Best One on Charles Street, St Helens

Following a police investigation, including CCTV and forensic inquiries, Moran was arrested on March 3.

He was questioned by police, charged and remanded into custody.  

He was jailed for four years and four months on Monday, August 8, following a guilty plea. 

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Detective Chief Inspector Ally Woods said: “At Merseyside Police, we simply will not tolerate such despicable attacks on people simply trying to earn an honest living in our communities. 

“We welcome that Moran is now behind bars and hope that he can reflect on the consequences of his actions in jail. 

“Robberies of businesses are far from victimless crimes – they have a terrifying impact on people living and working in Merseyside, who provide a vital service to local residents

“Our message to offenders involved in this type of criminality is clear – there is no hiding place. We will use all evidence available to us to track you down and put you before the courts.”

St Helens Star: Moran was jailed at Liverpool Crown CourtMoran was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Stock)

  • Anyone with any information on retail crime is asked to contact police's social media desk @MerPolCC or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. If, for any reason, you do not wish to report a hate crime to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK to run a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or stophateuk.org. People can also download the Stop Hate UK reporting app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.


Across Merseyside, we also have a number of third party reporting centres including fire stations, citizens advice bureaus and hospitals. A list of locations can be viewed here: merseyside-third-party-hate-crime-reporting-centres.pdf

ENDS