Robber threatens woman in car in Sunderland with hammer

A woman managed to escape after being threatened with a hammer while she was sitting in a car in Sunderland.

The 34-year-old victim was in the passenger seat in Colchester Terrace, in the early hours of Sunday when the would-be robber opened the car door.

Northumbria Police said he threatened her with a hammer and demanded cash, but she managed to get out of the vehicle and run away.

The man, who had hidden his face with a scarf, ran off empty-handed.