A drunken would-be robber who terrified a petrol station assistant with what she thought was a gun has been jailed for two years.

Grimsby Crown Court heard that Gavin Jackson attempted the robbery at East Marsh Service Station in Grimsby on July 17. According to www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, sales assistant Sarah Ward was working when Jackson walked in and mumbled “money”.

He told her: “I want your money. I have got a gun.” She spotted what she thought was a plastic bag – with his hand seemingly around the handle of a gun. She hid in the staff room and Jackson turned and walked towards the exit, taking four bags of sweets with him.

Jackson was later identified by a police community support officer from a CCTV picture and was arrested.

The shop assistant said this was the sort of incident she dreaded. She added that she was frightened in case he did have a weapon and didn’t want to risk it.

In fact, the ‘gun’ turned out to be a piece of tubing from a vacuum cleaner.

The court heard that Sarah was still affected by the incident.

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