A WOULD-BE robber abandoned a bid to commandeer a grocery delivery van after apparently going cold on the plan, a court heard.

Brian Philip Stevenson claimed to have a knife when he reached into the cab of an Iceland van and removed the keys as the driver was making deliveries in Wheatley Hill, County Durham.

He then put his hand into his pocket, as if to remove a knife, ordered the driver out of the cab and threatened to stab him.

Durham Crown Court heard the terrified driver believed he did have a knife, and when he emerged from the cab he was chased round the vehicle by Stevenson, who shouted: “Get away from the van or I’ll ****ing stab you.”

Joanne Kidd, prosecuting, said members of the public shouted at Stevenson, who, nevertheless, got into the van and switched on the ignition.

But Miss Kidd said: “He, then, seemed to change his mind, switched off, went to the driver and handed him the keys, saying: ‘Sorry mate’.”

She said the driver was badly affected by the ordeal, on February 13.

He felt traumatised driving from the scene and has subsequently been nervous on his rounds, avoiding parking near groups of people.

Despite wearing a hood at the time, Stevenson was recognised and he was soon found by police, hiding in a shed at his home.

He initially made no reply to police questions, but later claimed it was a “daft joke”.

But he then said he was forced to do it, under duress, and claimed to have only got into the driver’s seat.

Appearing in court via video link from Durham Prison, earlier this month, 27-year-old Stevenson, of Peterlee Cottages, Wheatley Hill, admitted attempted robbery.

The sentencing hearing was told he has 39 convictions for 74 offences, and received a community order for harassment and breaching a restraining order, at a magistrates’ hearing days before the incident.

Neil Bennett, mitigating, told the court: “This offence was not planned by him.

“He was pressured by others present at the scene, while the threat made to the driver, though serious, was nonetheless shortlived.

“The whole thing lasted less than two minutes from start to finish before he thought better of it and took a step back.

“He’s now abjectly remorseful.”

Mr Bennett added that Stevenson has been “profoundly” affected by the recent sudden death of a friend and a serious illness within his family.

Jailing him for 22 months, Judge Simon Hickey sympathised with him over those issues, but added: “I can’t possibly suspend this sentence. It has to be immediate custody.”