A BETTING shop manager has relived the terrifying moment when a masked robber pointed a gun at her.

Catherine Sewart was working at Betfred in St Helens Road on January 5 this year when two men came in.

Lee Davies and Paul Woodcock, both aged 34, of Kendrew Road, Deane, are on trial at Bolton Crown Court accused of robbing the bookmakers.

They deny robbery and possession of imitation firearms. Miss Sewart told the court that she was working in the betting office at 4.30pm with her colleague Susan Bonner.

Two men entered the shop and one stood at the door while the other demanded cash.

Miss Sewart, who gave evidence from behind a screen, said: “The shop was quiet and I was reading a paper when I heard Susan say ‘oh my God, not again’ and I looked straight ahead.

“One man stood by the door and the other walked towards me, pointed a gun at me and said give me the money and you won’t get hurt. I just froze. I thought Susan was with me, but she ran off into the kitchen.

“He was covered up. I could just see his eyes.

“He threw me a plastic bag and told me to put the money in there.”

The court heard that Miss Sewart emptied her cash till and then opened the safe and put about £1,000 into the bag.

Ms Bonner came out of the kitchen and also emptied her till.

Miss Sewart added: “Then they casually walked out of the shop.”

Woodcock and Davies are accused of being involved in the robberies of a window cleaning company, two bookmakers and a post office between December 31, 2007, and January 10 this year.

The case continues.