A HAPLESS criminal bragged on Facebook he was preparing to be a "nasty boy" before arming himself with a carving knife to rob his local shop.

Hours later the drug user blundered into a Sainsbury's but left empty handed after being foiled by a brave shop assistant.

Christopher Anderson earlier posted on Facebook: “Sacriston here I come” and “Prepared to be a nasty boy today”.

But instead the 20-year-old was seen off by shop assistant Diane Ward, who told him he wouldn’t be getting any money and should leave the store.

Judge Penny Moreland described her as “a very courageous lady”.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court today (Friday, April 17), Anderson was sentenced to two years and eight months in custody.

The court heard how Anderson, of Lavender Gardens, Sacriston, County Durham, entered his local Sainsbury’s on Thursday, January 15 disguised in a balaclava and gloves, and carrying a “large carving knife”.

Prosecutor Joanne Kidd said he appeared at Ms Ward’s till and demanded money, but she was “most stoic”, telling him he wouldn’t be getting any money and should leave.

Anderson persisted, tapping the knife on Ms Ward’s till, before trying the same trick at another till.

Gillian Douglas, who had just finished her shopping, called 999 and other store staff shouted at Anderson, prompting him to flee.

The whole incident lasted around two minutes, the court heard.

Miss Kidd said Anderson had told his partner he wanted to go to jail and soon afterwards admitted the offence to his mother.

When arrested he was “clearly under the influence of drugs,” she added.

Anderson, who has previous convictions for criminal damage and shoplifting, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said the Facebook posts had been investigated by a psychiatrist and were “more or less a cry for help”.

Anderson had coping strategies which went against the values of the rest of society, he added.

Mr Davis said his client was still a very young man and highly immature but was aware he needed to change his lifestyle.

Sentencing, Judge Moreland said Ms Ward had initially been frightened by Anderson and was upset afterwards but had displayed a “great degree of fortitude.”

Due to his age, Anderson will serve his sentence in a Young Offenders’ Institution.