A HOODED robber who tried to hold-up a petrol station just 100 metres away from where he was living was yesterday jailed for three years.

Gavin Little, 30, also had his face covered with a neck-warmer when he went into the forecourt shop in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

The lone worker initially thought he was joking when he asked for money in a timid voice - but then he shouted and produced a meat cleaver.

Cocaine addict Little frantically bashed the till to try to open it, but fled when the brave woman cashier pressed a panic alarm button.

When police visited the nearby Changing Lives housing project, they recognised Little’s training shoes from the kiosk’s CCTV camera shots.

Officers searched his bedroom and found matching clothing, the patterned neck-warmer under his mattress and the knife near his window.

Judge Howard Crowson told Little that while his victim initially seemed to shrug off the March 6 incident, it has since preyed on her mind.

In an impact statement, she said: “I’ve had trouble sleeping, thinking about what could have happened if he had jumped over the counter.

“It has left me concerned about working alone, especially on the evening. I’m apprehensive about large groups coming in the shop.

“I have been nervous and find myself looking out over the forecourt, thinking I can see shadows of people coming to rob the shop again.”

Prosecutor Rebecca Brown told the court that Little struck at just after 7pm at the Plawsworth Service Station on Great North Road.

He denied being responsible at first and said he had been at the housing project all night, although CCTV seemed to prove otherwise.

A support worker revealed to police that Little had been having money troubles, had rent arrears and had been served with an eviction notice.

Barry Robson, mitigating, said Little had been a hard worker, but his mother’s death in 2009 “derailed” him and his drug use spiralled.

Mr Robson said he suffered mental health problems and was sectioned three years ago, before ending up at the supported housing project.

“He said to the psychiatrist after his arrest that he had run out of money and he didn’t think his life was worth anything,” said Mr Robson.

“He armed himself, went to the filling station and tried to get money for drugs. He has been addressing his addictions since being remanded.”

Little admitted charges of attempted robbery and possessing an article with a blade or point at an earlier Teesside Crown Court hearing.