AN armed robber who boasted about appearing in The Bolton News’ Most Wanted column has been jailed for nearly four years.

Liam Waddilove was arrested after a member of the public overheard him bragging about his mention in the newspaper and waving a copy in the air as he left the D and G Bar in Bradsahwgate in a drunken state on July 29.

Three days earlier he had been seen on CCTV holding up the Co-op store in Wigan Road with a knife.

At Bolton Crown Court Andrew Macintosh, prosecuting, told how Ryan Quinlan was working in the shop at 10pm on July 26.

Waddilove, who was wearing a hoodie pulled up to cover his head, approached the counter and asked for change from a £20 note.

When he was told he would have to wait for a customer to buy something before the till was opened he asked for some cigarettes.

But as Mr Quinlan opened the till, 25-year-old Waddilove, with a kitchen knife in his hand, grabbed at the drawer.

The two men tussled over the drawer before Mr Quinlan noticed the knife and Waddilove warned him: “Stand back or I’ll stab you.”

Mr Macintosh said he grabbed £200 in cash before running off but the robber, who has a lengthy criminal record, was recognised by police when they watched the store’s CCTV.

Waddlilove, of Tavistock Road, Boton, pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a knife in public.

Kimberley Morton, defending, said Waddilove is apologetic about the crime, is not generally violent and did not attempt to use the knife he was carrying.

After serving several prison sentences he feels institutionalised.

She said: “He recognises that he needs to be in custody.

“He has struggled to cope with life in the community.”

Jailing Waddlilove for three years and eight months, Recorder Mark Ainsworth told him: “You must understand that the courts will do all they can to protect those people in society who are the most vulnerable.”