Betting shop robber jailed for knifepoint raid

Police said Leslie Bryan subjected the shop workers to "frightening ordeals"

A knife-wielding robber who threatened a Nottingham betting shop worker has been jailed.

Nottinghamshire Police said Leslie Bryan was "lying in wait" outside a premises in Alfreton Road, Radford, while the worker opened up at about 08:45 GMT on 14 November last year.

Bryan, 65, of Booth Close, St Ann's, Nottingham, had also attempted to raid a bookmaker in South Parade, in the city centre, two days earlier.

On Monday, he was sentenced to 15-and-a-half years after pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.

Leslie Bryan was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court

Police said that in the Alfreton Road robbery, Bryan "stormed into the shop" and barged the assistant to the floor before putting his hand over her mouth, forcing her to go to the till and punching her.

He stuffed £300 in a bag before fleeing the scene, but was arrested a few days later.

Bryan had also unsuccessfully attempted to rob the South Parade bookmakers.

Police said "he threatened to kill the [manager], and made repeated attempts to jump over the counter".

Det Con Rebecca Brailsford said: "During these two incidents, within days of each other, he subjected both shop workers to frightening ordeals.

"The female shop assistant was arriving at work to open up when she was barged into a dark, unlit shop, punched and threatened by a man wielding a knife.

"She was very visibly distressed when police arrived at the scene and feared she was going to be stabbed.

"I hope the thorough investigation by officers and the sentence handed down to Bryan helps both victims recover and move on."