TWO workers told of their ordeals as a knife-wielding robber who struck at two shops in five minutes was locked up.

Lindsay Bunney targeted Heron Foods on the High Street in Ormesby, near Middlesbrough, and then a tanning salon nearby.

The 36-year-old fled empty-handed from the first shop but got away with £80 on the second occasion.

The member of staff at Heron had been robbed by a man with a knife just four days earlier, Teesside Crown Court heard.

In a statement, she said she normally regarded herself as a strong character but the ordeal had created a “chink in her armour” and was afraid to return to work.

Doctors diagnosed her with post traumatic stress disorder and she has had counselling to help her come to terms with her experiences.

Bunney walked into the Under The Sun tanning salon, on Shelton Court, and demanded the owner put money in a bag.

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said the businesswoman described the attacker as having a “crazed look in her eye”.

In a statement, she said she felt vulnerable and wary of customers.

Judge Howard Crowson told Bunney: "They’ve both been very significantly affected by this. You appreciate looking back how frightening it would have been."

After her arrest, the crack cocaine addict told police that she owed £55 to a drug dealer.

Kelleigh Lodge, mitigating, said Bunney was genuinely sorry for the crimes which were a “rash decision” made out of desperation.

Bunney, of no fixed address, admitted robbery, attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article and was jailed for four years.