A THIEF stealing chocolate pulled a knife on shop staff who tried to stop him, a court heard yesterday.

Heroin addict Craig Burgess, 26, of Langdale Crescent, Grangetown, admitted two charges of robbery at Teesside Crown Court. He also admitted two charges of theft, in September last year.

Peter Makepeace, prosecuting, said Burgess robbed Kwik Save, in Grangetown, twice.

He was stealing chocolate when a security guard asked him if he was going to pay for the goods he was hiding in his jacket. When they got to the checkout, Burgess pulled out a knife and told the guard to get out of the way. He then said his mother would pay the £10.40 for the goods.

Ten days later he was stealing chocolate worth £13.50, when he was approached by a Kwik Save employee. He pulled out a kitchen knife blade and escaped.

The court heard he had extensive previous convictions. Michael Bosomworth, for Burgess, said he was a heroin addict, but made no excuse for what he had done.

He was jailed for three years.