A MAN from Bournemouth has been jailed after a "frightening" knifepoint robbery.

Perry Wilson, 45, of Christchurch Road was sentenced to four years in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court on June 2 after admitting offences of robbery and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

The incident took place at approximately 8.30am on May 1 when Wilson entered Premier Boscombe East Food and Wine in Christchurch Road and approached the till.

Wilson was a regular customer at the store and initially asked a member of staff for a lighter, which they provided free of charge.

He then left the store, but returned a few minutes later and walked behind the serving counter, holding a knife in his hand.

The knife was described as a black handled bread knife with a serrated blade.

Wilson then demanded that the member of staff open the till and hand over money.

The victim tried to reason with Wilson before hitting the store panic button, causing an audible alarm to go off.

Despite this, Wilson again demanded money and the victim picked up a baseball bat before grabbing hold of him.

During the struggle, Wilson cut the victim’s hand with the knife before he was able to push him away.

Wilson then took two bottles of spirits from the shelf and left the store, before handing himself in at Bournemouth Police Station three days later.

Detective Constable Mark Holmes, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was a violent offence and must have been a very frightening ordeal for the victim, who showed considerable bravery in the circumstances.

“I hope the sentence imposed by the court will send out a clear message that this kind of offending will not be tolerated.”