A WOULD-BE robber who threatened a betting shop staff member with a meat cleaver has been jailed.

Wayne Cleere marched into the William Hill betting shop, in Blackhills Road, Horden, and demanded money with the blade.

Durham Crown Court yesterday (April 22) heard how the 23-year-old then fled after being told there was no cash to be had during the incident, on March 8, at about 7.30pm.

Appearing from prison by video link, Cleere also pleaded guilty to theft after stealing meat from Sainsbury’s and possessing the meat cleaver, offences which both occurred on the same day.

Harry Hadfield, prosecuting, said told the court how Cleere, of no fixed abode, had been on licence at the time of the offences and had since been recalled to prison.

He said Cleere first stole the meat from the County Durham supermarket before making his way to the betting shop 15 minutes later “hooded up”.

“He placed the meat cleaver on the counter but was told there was no money and it was then that he turned and ran out,” Mr Hadfield said.

He said that the staff member had been left feeling unsafe at work and worried about opening and closing the store on his own.

Thomas Laffey, mitigating, said his client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

“He had been living with his mother who had problems of her own and in his words had shooed him out – he had nowhere to live,” he said.

“His father has been warned by his landlord not to allow the defendant at the property therefore he was somewhat desperate.

“He cannot explain why he chose to so this because although he did not have much money he was keeping okay financially.”

He added: “He has had the good sense to admit it straight away.”

Judge Christopher Prince sentenced Cleere to 40 months in prison for the attempted burglary.

He also sentenced him to a further six months for the theft and 12 months for having the meat cleaver but said these would run concurrently alongside the 40 month sentence.

He also ordered the meat cleaver to be destroyed.

“It was a very frightening experience for the gentleman who was in the premises at the time and he describes in his original statement it has had on him,” said Judge Prince.