Leeds robber pointed gun at shop worker and demanded till takings
Brave employee refused and hit the panic alarm
A desperate robber pointed a gun at a shop worker and demanded money from the till, but fled emptyhanded.
Adam Haynes was already facing fraud charges when he entered the convenience shop.
The 35-year-old was jailed at Leeds Crown Court.
Haynes had walked into the Howden Clough Store on Leeds Road, Birstall, on January 17.
He immediately lifted the pistol towards the worker and shouted at her, demanding she open the till.
But the woman refused and pressed the panic alarm button, which caused Haynes to run from the shop.
CCTV from outside spotted that he had got into a Suzuki car, which was later traced and he was arrested.
The imitation handgun was found at his property.
A distinctive tattoo on his right hand also helped identify him on the footage.
Prosecutor Harry Crowson said Haynes, of Winrose Crescent, Belle Isle, was already being investigated for fraud after pocketing money from three customers when he worked for the furniture company, Pay Per Week.
He had taken installment payments made in cash, and to one customer gave his own bank details rather than the company’s.
Appearing in court over a video link from HMP Leeds, he admitted three counts of fraud by false representation, attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm with an intent to cause a serious fear of violence.
He has no previous convictions.
Mitigating, Susannah Proctor described the robbery as “brazen and unsophisticated”, having used a car that could easily be connected to him.
She said he was a former Armed Forces man, had been a hard-working family man with no criminal record, but he separated from his wife.
Health issues led to him taking illegal drugs which spiralled out of control.
She said: “He is utterly horrified by his conduct and truly remorseful.”
The judge, Recorder Angus Withington KC, jailed him for 38 months.