A ROBBER who held up a sandwich take-away shop walked into a police station and confessed to the crime three months later, a court heard.

But the following day Joshua Thompson denied he was behind the crime, claiming a friend had offered to pay him £3,000 to take the blame.

At Bolton Crown Court Louise Santamera, prosecuting, told the jury how the Subway shop on Derby Street had been targeted by a man wearing a balaclava just before 6pm on December 5 last year.

The man threatened to stab shop workers Bryan Brooks and Faryal Ali, before he grabbed notes and two bags of coins, together worth £183.60, from the till and running off.

Ms Santamera added that attempts to identify the robber failed and and so by the end of January police closed their inquiry and disposed of the shop's CCTV.

After 22-year-old Thompson confessed then change his story he was bailed by police, but the following day he was back at Scholey Street police station again claiming he had been the robber.

He was sent away but then a short time later he was seen pacing up and down outside the Subway shop shouting "I need arresting."

Ms Santamera added that when an officer arrived Thompson offered to show him where he had dumped items used in the crime.

Thompson led him to bushes off nearby Emblem Street where a rain sodden black balaclava, hoodie and knife were recovered.

Thompson, of no fixed address, denies committing the robbery.

The case continues.