Knifeman was caught by staff after failed robbery

David Stanton was jailed for three years and eight months over the failed attempt to rob the garage in Beeston, Leeds.

Leeds Crown Court heard Stanton, 32, went into the petrol station on Linden Road around 7pm on October 16 this year and was seen to be acting suspiciously.

A member of staff approached Stanton and spoke to him after he was seen loitering at the back of the premises.

Stanton then walked up to the cashier and asked for some cigarettes before.

He then pulled out a 12-inch knife and said: “Give me the money or I will kill you.”

John Bull, prosecuting, said: “The cashier was frightened and scared and shouted to his colleague that the defendant was in the store with a knife.

“The defendant left the store empty handed. He was followed by two members of staff who stopped him a short distance away and returned him to the station.”

Mr Bull added: “The knife was subsequently found in the jacket that he was wearing.”

Stanton, of Foundry Mill Terrace, Seacroft, Leeds, was arrested and refused to comment about the incident in interview.

He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

The court heard Stanton was jailed for six years in 2007 for a similar robbery at a petrol station and for trying to hold up a fast food restaurant.

Stephen Welford, mitigating, described the knife used in the offence as a “nasty weapon” but said no one was hurt.

He said the out-of-work call centre operator had just fallen out with his partner but could offer little other explanation for the offence.

Mr Welford said Stanton had been to visit his brother in south Leeds abd decided to carry out the offence as he made his way home.

He immediately gave himself up as soon as he was challenged by the petrol station staff and Mr WEelford said his client accepted he would be facing another lengthy prison sentence

The Recorder of Leeds, judge Peter Collier QC, told Lawton: “It was a planned offence and very serious.

“You threatened to kill them unless they handed over their money.

“They were of firmer stuff than you because they did not hand over the money and you ran away.”