A MAN who tried to rob a betting shop at knifepoint and grabbed £1,192 from a convenience store till so that he could take his family on holiday has been jailed for six years.

Ian Shipley, of Statham Avenue, Orford, entered Betfred on Poplars Avenue with his hood up and a knife in his hand on April 23 at around 7pm.

The 31-year-old waved the knife around and demanded money, causing the two members of staff to flee to the safe room.

A customer alerted nearby police to the attempted robbery and a short pursuit followed, resulting in Shipley punching a police community support officer in the arm.

Chester Crown Court heard that the officer has had to be put on light duties since the incident as he received an injury that could require surgery.

Only days earlier on April 18, Shipley had robbed McColls on Greenwood Crescent, taking £1,192.

At 10.50pm he approached the shop as the two members of staff were closing up.

A regular customer of the shop, Shipley ran at one worker, punched him in the head, grabbed him in a headlock and said: “Open the till, give me the money.”

He dragged the man to the door of the tills and demanded he open them, punching him in the head four times.

Once Shipley had the money he threatened to kill the worker if he reported the incident.

Shipley pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and possessing an offensive weapon on Friday morning.

The court heard that he suffers from a drink problem and was under the influence of valium at the times of the incidents.

Judge Patrick Thompson jailed Shipley for six years.

Sentencing, he said: “You have an appalling record of previous convictions and you decided you wanted some money to take your family on holiday – what you did was extremely serious.

“I’ve given it a great deal of thought and on reflection because you’ve admitted this offence that shows some remorse and I hope it shows that you will not continue to behave this way in the future.”