A MASKED man who tried to rob a store armed with a six inch car wrench has been spared jail.

Luke Pemberton was branded an “opportunist” after he spotted the large piece of aluminium hanging off a car outside the shop in Darlington this April.

But the 27-year-old's plan to steal cash to fuel his drug addiction “bottled it” when he was confronted by the shop keeper, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Quoting the victim, Muneeb Akram, prosecuting, said: “I was in the staff room and I heard a bell go in the shop which signals someone has walked in. I looked up to the CCTV and saw a male, he was carrying a car wrench and had his face covered.

“He stopped and looked at the till then walked down the side. I knew he was going to try and rob by the was he was dressed and walking around with the wrench.

“I picked up two bottles of alcohol to defend myself. He entered and took one step towards me. I had the bottles up for protection. He stepped towards me again and then ran back out.”

He added that the confrontation has left him and his wife “shaken and anxious” and the pair constantly worry if they will be robbed once more.

Mr Akram said Pemberton earlier admitted to driving around Darlington and stopping when he saw the shop.

The court heard he picked up the six inch bit of aluminium from a car and planned to steal money to pay for drugs because “years of drugs meant his head was going a million miles per hour” but he “bottled it” when he was confronted by the shop owner.

But Michele Turner, defending, said Pemberton escaped the situation “at the first opportunity” and he has support from his partner and family to turn his life around.

Handing Pemberton, who admitted attempted robbery, a two year suspended sentence, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC said: “You went into a shop manned by one person. The type of people who run these shops are providing a service to the public and are the life line for communities, people depend on them.

“We made a reasonable and determined effort. You were disguised and you had a weapon. Your offences are driven by drugs but now you are employed and I want you to continue with that, I think that is better for society.”

Pemberton, of Headlam Road, Darlington, was also handed 120 hours of unpaid work, a six month curfew and ordered to pay £500 in costs.