A SHOP assistant says he would have rather have been threatened with a knife or a gun than the needle that left him facing hospital tests following a horrifying robbery.

Mehmet Yalcin, 29, was working at the Mini Golden Supermarket in Stanfield Road, Winton, when he was attacked by the raider, who made off with just £20 and some spare change.

The robber was holding an uncapped needle and made threats before lunging at the till and grabbing money.

Mehmet told the Daily Echo last night that he felt something graze him before chasing the robber down the road.

Having given up the pursuit as he didn’t want to leave the shop unattended, he found the needle on the floor when he returned and realised that was what had scratched him.

He added: “I would prefer that he had a gun or a knife rather than a needle. Needles scare me, you don’t know what’s in them and it could have been dangerous.”

The robber was seen crossing Withermoor Road and continuing on to Stanfield Road.

Police revealed details of the incident yesterday and DC Danielle Knight, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This incident left the victim with an injury that required hospital treatment. I urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident take place or has any information to contact Dorset Police as soon as possible.”

The offender has been described as white, approximately five feet seven inches tall, of slim build and with blue eyes.

He was wearing a black jacket with the hood up and a grey hood underneath, dark trousers and black woollen gloves. He was also wearing a checked scarf covering his face from the bottom of his nose to his chin.

No arrests have been made in relation to the incident, which took place on Thursday, February 13 at 5.30pm.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 13:327.

Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.