A SHOP owner told today how she was punched repeatedly in the face by a teenage raider after she refused to hand over money from her till.

Gina Varley, 28, was standing behind the counter of Stop Gap convenience store in Gale Lane, Acomb, when the man burst in with a coat pulled over his face.

She thought he was joking at first but then realised to her horror that her store was being held up.

The would-be robber then launched a ferocious attack on Mrs Varley after she refused to hand over her takings.

He jumped on the counter and punched her repeatedly in the face until she was knocked over in a screaming heap.

She suffered heavy facial bruising and thought at first he had broken her nose.

"He looked really comical with his jacket over his face," Mrs Varley said, "I remember laughing when he asked me to hand over money from the till.

"He climbed on the counter but I managed to take the key out of the till before he got to it.

"I couldn't believe it when he started hitting me. He punched me about five times in the face.

"I was screaming my lungs out but eventually I gave in and handed him the till keys.

"Thankfully he couldn't open it and ran off empty-handed.

"It was a terrifying experience. He looked like he was on drugs."

The attacker is described as a white male, aged about 18, and slim with scruffy blond hair.

He was wearing a pale blue sweater, dark trousers and black-laced boots.

The incident happened at 11am on Sunday.

A spokesman for York police said: "This was very distressing for the shop owner. We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack."

Contact York police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 08:25 Tuesday, September 04, 2001