A HEROIN addict who robbed a terrified Poole shop assistant at gunpoint has been jailed for four and a half years.

Adrian Hansford, 27, admitted having an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery at Jones Stores in Hamworthy on April 27 this year.

He also pleaded guilty to robbing employee Dianne Bartlett of a charity box containing cash on the same date and admitted five dishonesty offences on April 19 this year.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Iain Ross recalled how Hansford, of Carters Avenue, Poole, had threatened Mrs Bartlett at gunpoint.

"He looked menacing. When Mrs Bartlett asked if she could help, he said: 'Can I have the money out of the till?'

"The defendant pulled out an imitation handgun from his jacket. The barrel was resting above the counter, pointing at Mrs Bartlett.

"She told a colleague there was a man in the shop with a gun and the defendant ran out."

The court heard how Mrs Bartlett's colleague had given chase and followed Hansford until he got into a car and sped off from the scene.

Mr Ross said Mrs Bartlett had been "absolutely terrified throughout the incident and felt very shaky afterwards".

The entire incident was captured on the store's CCTV security camera.

Following Hansford's arrest on July 18 he told police officers he was a heroin addict and had been desperate for money.

Defending, Angela Kerner said both Hansford and his younger brother had been heroin addicts.

She described the robbery, using his brother's empty ball-bearing gun, as "something completely out of character".

She added: "He accepts his actions were extremely frightening and distressing to Mrs Bartlett."

Sentencing Hansford, Judge Samuel Wiggs said: "Any offence of robbery is serious. An offence of robbery using an imitation firearm is doubly serious.

"It is extremely frightening to be on the receiving end of such treatment and courts always regard such matters with great gravity. Only a custodial sentence can be justified."

Judge Wiggs told Hansford he would not be considered for release by the parole board until he had served two-thirds of his sentence.

Speaking after the sentencing Mrs Bartlett, who still works at the store, said she felt sorry for Hansford but thought the sentence was fair.

She said: "It was horrible but he didn't actually shoot us and sometimes you just don't know what drives people. I thought drugs probably had something to do with it.

"I'm just relieved they caught him but I do feel sorry for him. Who knows what we'd do if we were in that situation?"