A KNIFE wielding robber terrified staff and customers in a shop before telling them: “I am not going to hurt you,” a court heard.

Callum McSherry was spotted stealing pizzas from a freezer cabinet at the Co-op store in Wigan Road, Deane, and was approached by a female member of staff.

He told the woman to leave him alone, before pulling out a knife and waving it within inches of her face, Bolton Crown Court heard.

The woman backed away from McSherry, aged 21, who picked up a box of 10 cans of lager and walked to the exit, where he said: “I am not going to hurt you, I am sorry for shouting”.

He was arrested by police close to the scene, and among the possessions found on him was some half eaten cheese and a sausage roll.

McSherry, who previously pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article, was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Sentencing McSherry, Judge Peter Davies said: “You brandished the knife at staff and customers, and although what you took may have been of little value, it’s the possession of a blade, and the fear and threat that you caused which makes this serious.”

The robbery was carried out while McSherry was already on bail for a burglary at a house in Thistleton Road, Deane, on February 13.

He smashed a back window of the house, before making off with a TV worth £200, but was later arrested after his blood was found in the house.

Defending, Andrew Costello said that McSherry had been suffering with mental health problems including post traumatic distress order, and had been self medicating alcohol and cannabis.

He said that McSherry had been living a “chaotic” life and that he was glad that he was arrested because he believed he would commit further offences, or even end up dead.

Mr Costello added that McSherry had surprised himself by pulling out the knife.

Judge Davies added: “I am quite satisfied that you surprised yourself by what you did. You have allowed yourself to get in a very difficult situation.”

McSherry, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for the robbery and a further eight months for the burglary, which will run consecutively.

A sentence of 18 months for possession of a bladed article will run concurrently.