Michael James Cardwell pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court last week to a charge of aggravated assault (inflicting bodily harm) with intent to rob over the November 15 incident, which left the male owner of the Bellambi Village Food Store with fractured ribs, swelling, cuts and abrasions.

Police documents tendered to the court said the owner opened the store about 5.30am to begin trading for the day.

Shortly before 7am the victim had just finished serving a customer and was behind the counter reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of tea when Cardwell entered the store wearing a blue mask and armed with a large hammer.

The court heard he ran towards the counter and stood over the man, yelling “give me the money”.

As the victim stood up, Cardwell immediately began hitting him around the arms and shoulders with the hammer.

The court heard Cardwell delivered between 10 and 15 blows to the man’s body “with force”.

The victim attempted to lift up the coffee mug to defend himself however Cardwell lashed out again with the hammer, causing the man to drop the cup.

The man’s yells for help attracted family members from a nearby house, at which time Cardwell pushed the man to the ground and continued the assault, this time hitting him in the left flank area with the hammer.

Cardwell’s sunglasses and black hat fell off during the struggle, prompting him to flee the scene empty handed a short time later.

The man’s family contacted police who arrived to discover him beaten and bruised.

He was taken to hospital where the full extent of his injuries was revealed.

Cardwell was arrested on January 5 and has been in custody ever since.

He will face sentencing in August.