A PAIR of masked armed robbers who terrified petrol station staff and customers when they threatened them with knives have been jailed.

Shaun Briggs pulled on a Halloween mask and armed himself with a large butcher's knife joined forces with Balaclava-wearing James Purdie, who was armed with a machete, to target the Nisa service station in Stockton on August 30.

They first tried to steal a mobile phone off a member of staff who was outside before entering the shop and threatening people with their knives and filling up a quilt cover with more than £1,000 worth of cigarettes.

Paul Rooney, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court how the pair then attempted to flee the scene in a car a customer was sitting in on the forecourt but when the woman jumped out of her car she took the keys with her.

Mr Rooney said Purdie pulled the machete from out of his trousers and went behind the counter where a member of staff was working.

He said: "She thought they were going to kill her or cause her significant harm as she was the only person left with access to the till, so she decided to flee."

When Briggs went outside he tried to get into a customer's car but she managed to escape and take the keys with her, he added.

The court heard how members of the public attempted to slow down their escape to enable the police to arrive on the scene.

Both men were caught and arrested as they attempted to escape with Briggs still wearing the Halloween mask.

In a victim personal statement, the shop worker said it had left her fearful about her return to work.

Briggs, 39, of Wembley Way, Stockton, pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article.

While 49-year-old Purdie, also of Wembley Way, Stockton, pleaded guilty to robbery, two attempted robberies, possession of a bladed article and aggravated burglary.

In mitigation for Briggs, Paul Green said he was the primary carer for his partner but accepted his actions were responsible for social services becoming involved in her care.

Michele Turner, on behalf of Purdie, said he was under the influence of drugs at the time and had little recollection of the robbery.

Judge Howard Crowson said the robbery must have been terrifying for staff.

He jailed Briggs for six years and two months and Purdie for five years and ten months.