A NEWPORT teenager was yesterday found guilty of his part in a knifepoint robbery of a city newsagent’s.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, was part of a four-man gang who threatened shopworker Ali Riaz with the kitchen knife before making off with around £1,500 and cigarettes, the court heard.

Following a two-day trial at Newport Crown Court, a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on a single charge of robbery.

The youth had claimed he was in a different part of the city at the time of the robbery on December 16.

Earlier this week, jurors heard Mr Riaz say he was working behind the counter of Lifestyle Stores in Alexandra Road, Pill, when two youths came in.

One of them pulled a 12-inch knife out and demanded money.

They were then followed in by a third person, the defendant, who was covering his face with his hand and demanding money from Mr Riaz, while a fourth waited outside.

Prosecutor David Pinell said the defendant revealed his face when he moved his hand away to grab at cigarettes on the shelves behind Mr Riaz.

Mr Riaz picked the youth out of a video display, which was used instead of an identity parade.

The teenager with the knife, another 17-year-old the Argus is banned from naming, admitted his role in this robbery and the attempted robbery of Ali’s Convenience Stores, Alexandra Road, four days later when he sprayed shopkeeper Abdullah Ali in the face with ammonia.

He was given an 18-month detention order earlier this year.

This case was adjourned for sentencing at a later date.