Byline: By ROB KENNEDY
A KNIFE-WIELDING robber who held up a Tyneside bookies has been jailed for five years.
John Attrill left two female members of staff terrified when he turned up demanding cash.
Attrill threatened them with a large knife before fleeing with a quantity of cash from Ladbrokes in North Shields.
Hungry for more cash, he then rifled through one of the women's handbags.
Replica Gucci New itemsNow Attrill, 38, of no fixed abode, has been sent to prison for five years after admitting robbery. Judge Beatrice Bolton told him: "You went in with a large kitchen knife determined to get the contents of the safe. Not content with that, you took the contents of one of the ladies' handbags as well.
"This led tubes is very serious offending and I take into account your appalling record in sentencing you."
Attrill struck at the bookmaker's, on Saville Street West, on October 21 last year.
After threatening staff with the knife he then forced them to remove CCTV tapes in a bid to avoid capture.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that one of the staff members, who has worked for Ladbrokes for some 25 years, has been left traumatised by the robbery and has been unable to return to work.
The Chronicle reported at the time how the robber had jumped over the counter before threatening staff with a knife.
Attrill had gone into the bookmakers wearing a hat in a bid to disguise himself but police raided his house within a fortnight and arrested him.
Gavin Doig, for Attrill, said: "The duration was fortunately very short, he was in and out in a minute.
"However, I accept the two women involved were terrified."
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Neighbourhood Superintendent Ralph Logan said after the case: "Attrill's robbery was a frightening experience for Ladbrokes staff but thankfully such offences are rare on North Tyneside.
"However, I have a warning for anyone like Attrill who pursues such a life of crime - we will pursue you and take you to court where justice will be seen to be done, as this case plainly demonstrates."
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APPALLING RECORD: John Attrill
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