TWO men have been warned they face "significant custodial sentences'' for trying to hold up a Chinese takeaway wearing masks and carrying a toy gun.
Mark Flanagan (26), of Glenbane Avenue, Newtownabbey, and Wayne Hunter (25), of York Park, Belfast, pleaded guilty at Downpatrick Crown Court to attempted robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to commit a robbery.
Hunter also pleaded guilty to possession of five bags of herbal cannabis which was found in a flat by police following his arrest.
Sam Magee, prosecuting, told the court that the offences were committed on June 25, 2015 at the Peking Garden takeaway on Green Road, Conlig.
Judge Piers Grant heard staff noticed the two men walk past the shop before returning around 10 pm to "rob it'' with both men wearing masks to try and disguise their faces even thought they were known to staff.
The prosecutor said Hunter entered the premises wearing a white mask with holes cut out, approached the counter and held "a police-like gun at shoulder height'' within two metres of a member of staff.
Hunter then placed a white bag on the counter and demanded money.
"Mr Flanagan was keeping watch at the door,'' said Mr Magee.
Counter staff shouted that "police were coming'' and kitchen appeared behind the counter before Hunter and Flanagan "ran from the shop'' empty handed.
They fled pursued by Peking Garden staff and public.
Police later recovered items concerned with the robbery including a white mask containing blood which matched Hunter's DNA profile.
A dark mask which "contained a UDA emblem''' was a DNA match for Flanagan. The firearm was a dark blue/black toy gun.
The court heard Hunter had 11 previous convictions and at the time of the robbery bid was the subject of a four month sentence suspended for three years.
Flanagan had previous convictions for assault and disorderly behaviour.
Defence barrister Conor Holmes told the court: "Mr Hunter has shown genuine and real remorse. He is ashamed of his actions and the impact this had on the people involved. He fully accepts that he is going to prison.''
Accepting that the robbery bid was a "terrifying experience'' for the takeaway staff, barrister Conan Rea asked the court to treat father-of-three Flanagan as a "secondary offender'' and not as the man who went into the takaway with the imitation firearm.
Judge Piers Grant said he would require time and adjourned sentencing, but warned Hunter and Flanagan: "Significant custodial sentences will be imposed of that there should be no doubt.''
Both men were remanded in custody to be sentenced on Friday.
