A 17-YEAR-OLD fled from an armed robber after being threatened with a knife and gun, a court heard.

Dionysios Paraskevopoulos appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday and denied attempting to take personal belongings from the student.

The court heard an incident took place on February 1, shortly after 8pm, on Queens Road, Southend.

The victim, who had left the nearby branch of McDonald’s having bought a hot chocolate, claims a hooded male followed him along Queens Road before becoming aggressive.

The hooded male then threatened Mr Hamilton on the corner of Queens Road and Ashburnham Road, it is alleged.

Paraskevopoulos, who was wearing a pink and white buttoned Polo Ralph Lauren shirt, was joined in the dock by an interpretor before the jury and Judge John Lodge.

Prosecutor Gabrielle McAvock said: “The hooded male, at one point, was walking less than one metre behind Mr Hamilton and he became panicked by the hooded male behind him.

“On the corner of Ashburnham Road, the hooded male became aggressive.

“Mr Hamilton took out his earphones and heard the hooded male speak aggressively towards him. He yelled something at him.

“The hooded male then put his hands around the back of Mr Hamilton’s neck and shoulders so Mr Hamilton was slightly bent over.

“He then said ‘don’t fight this. I’ve got a knife. I’ve got a gun’.

“The hooded male then started to go through Mr Hamilton’s coat pocket.

“Clearly, he was trying to take the young complainant’s belongings.

“Mr Hamilton noticed the hooded male had a European accent.

“Mr Hamilton then took the lid off the hot chocolate he bought at McDonald’s and threw it at the male’s face.”

The court heard a witness then saw Mr Paraskevopoulos go into the Kingfisher fish and chip shop on Queens Road.

Ms McAvock added: “He saw the defendant with a brown liquid on his face and trying to wash it off.”

Puneet Grewal, defending, claimed the two collided before the alleged victim threw hot chocolate but there was no attempted robbery.

Paraskevopoulos denies one count of attempted robbery.

Trial continues.