Inept knifeman recognised by woman who'd known him for years during Darlington takeaway hold-up

Scott Irving stupidly picked a take-away where someone worked who had known him for years - and despite wearing a mask and a hoody, was easily identifiable.

Then he tried to grab what he thought was a till from the counter - only to find it was a computer screen used for ordering meals.

New Sing Lee Curry House in Darlington. Picture: GOOGLE MAPS 

And after fleeing from the New Sing Lee Curry House in Darlington and dumping his clothes in a wheelie-bin, he forgot there was a prescription in his name in the jacket pocket.

Police were quickly onto his trail, yet he still denied being responsible even though his DNA was found on the discarded snood and hooded top.

Irving, 33, was found guilty of attempted robbery and threatening a person with a blade after a trial at Teesside Crown Court last month.

Today, he was jailed for five years but told he could serve much longer and will be freed only when the Parole Board consider that is safe to do so.

That is because Irving is on a lifetime licence recall for a series of similar armed attacks on small businesses more than a decade ago.

In 2007, he was given a sentence for public protection with a minimum of four years and seven months, but he was not released until February last year.

The court heard that he had stayed out for trouble for a year and got a job, but reverted to his old ways on February 10 - for what appears to be no real reason.

A member of staff at the take-away recognised 6ft-plus Irving despite his facial disguise and only being able to see his eyes, said prosecutor Mike Bosomworth.

Mr Bosomworth said the raid terrified the female assistant, but a brave delivery driver waiting to collect an order stopped Irving getting behind the counter.

Judge Tony Briggs told the attacker: "Your face was concealed and you had a large serrated-edged knife, and you demanded that the staff in the establishment gave you 'all the f***ing money'.

"Unfortunately for you, one of the staff who knew you and clearly recognised you despite your disguise. You are a tall man, and there was voice recognition.

"She shouted at you, but that had no effect on you and you continued to try to get the money. You left empty-handed.

"When the police searched the area, they found your discarded clothing in a bin, and, unfortunately, for you, in the clothing was a prescription clearly identifying you.

"The member of staff had known you for years, and she had helped you on your release, and you caused significant distress to her."

Ian West, mitigating, said Irving, of Colleridge Gardens, Darlington, was doing well after he was freed from his last jail term, and could not explain the crime.

"He will not be released automatically, he will still be in the hands of the Parole Board," said Mr West. "He will have to await the judgement in due course."