AN ARMED robber who ran off swearing after he was whacked with a cricket bat by his would-be victim has been jailed for six years.

Martyn Jacobs, responsible for a spate of crimes, faced sentence on Tuesday at Aylesbury Crown Court after previously admitting to trying to rob shopkeeper Lahbir Jhutty and to possessing an imitation firearm.

The court heard how the 21-year-old, of of Bowerdean Way, High Wycombe, had pulled out a hand gun on shopkeeper Mr Jhutty, shouting 'Gimme the cash' when he went into Cans off-licence in Lane End on December 22 last year.

Tim Ashmole, prosecuting, said Mr Jhutty had just been stacking shelves and had gone to serve Jacobs who had picked up a can of drink.

He told the court how Jacobs then pulled out a black handgun and demanded the cash but Mr Jhutty grabbed a cricket bat, which he kept under the counter, and swung out at the robber, knocking the gun away.

Mr Ashmole added that Jacobs picked up the weapon but left the shop empty handed, swearing as he went.

Police later recovered the imitation firearm when they arrested Jacobs at his home where he told officers he had bought it for £400 but then remarked "I should have worn a balaclava".

However, Basil Hillman, in mitigation, told the court that Jacobs had been under the influence of of others who he feared because they claimed he owed money for drugs, and he had the gun for his own protection.

Judge Roger Connor said reports had disclosed Jacobs was not mentally ill. He said: "The simple fact is you have a personality which predisposes you to commit offences ."

He jailed Jacobs for five years for attempted robbery, 12 months concurrent for having the imitation firearm. He was also given 12 months consecutive for two burglaries at Roberts Road and Totteridge Road, High Wycombe, in August and December after being committed for sentence because he was still on bail for the offences when he attempted the robbery.

He was also given six months concurrent for attempting to steal property from a car at Prestwood on September 17.