A MASKED, knife-wielding raider who was frightened off by courageous Bolton shop-keepers, had his sentence cut by a third in London's Appeal Court.

Michael Warburton, aged 22, of Lansdowne Close, Bolton, received a six-year sentence in May after admitting two counts of robbery and one of theft.

Mr Justice Holland - sitting in the Appeal Court with Judge Sir John Blofeld - said Warburton, who wore a hood, scarf and mask for his crimes, went into a Bolton mini-market on March 22, brandishing a knife at a female assistant who became hysterical.

But the owner ran out to confront Warburton, who fled empty handed.

The next day he targeted another shop, Fireside Studio, again brandishing his six-inch knife and demanding cash.

Mr Justice Holland said the 66-year-old shop assistant picked up a metal bar after which Warburton fled the shop.

Mr Justice Holland said a substantial sentence was called for in light of Warburton's targeting of local shops.

But he ruled that insufficient account had been taken of Warburton's guilty plea. He cut the sentence to four years.