TWO men high on drink and drugs who held a cashier at knifepoint in an attempted robbery have been jailed for more than ten years.

Serial offenders Andrew Callan and Paul Merritt demanded money and threatened to kill cashier Barbara Jakeman if she did not meet their demands.

Teesside Crown Court heard that thanks to Mrs Jakeman, the men left the Eldon service station, in Ferryhill Station, County Durham, empty-handed.

Judge George Moorhouse said: "It must have been a frightening experience for the lady concerned.

"This woman showed great courage and stood her ground. It was a horrific experience for Mrs Jakeman."

The pair entered the service station at about 8.30pm on August 3.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said: "Merritt approached and said 'give us the money'.

"Mrs Jakeman said she would not hand over any money.

"Callan showed her the knife, which was partly concealed in his sleeve. She started to get concerned and feared for her safety.

"Callan upped the stakes and said 'give us the money or we will stab you'. He said it with real menace.

"The rather plucky Barbara Jakeman said they were not going to get the money. Callan said 'I will kill you'."

The cashier's ordeal was only over when the men were disturbed by another customer on the forecourt and left.

It emerged yesterday that 18-year-old Merritt had 28 convictions for disorderly behaviour, dishonesty, common assault, burglary and affray.

Callan had also been made subject to an anti-social behaviour order, which he had breached five times, and had 22 appearances before the courts since 1997 for disorderly behaviour.

He also had convictions for making threats to kill and possessing an offensive article after he attached a razorblade to a toothbrush to make a weapon.

Robin Turton, on behalf of Callan, 24, said: "It was an offence committed in drink and he had been smoking pot."

David Lamb, for Merritt, said his client had shown remorse for the offence.

Callan, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to six years in jail, and Merritt, of Magdalene Place, Ferryhill, received a four-and-a-half-year jail sentence after they both pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.