Aaron David Atkinson, 29, of no fixed address but from the Whitby area, was sentenced at York Crown Court today.

He had pleaded guilty to the robbery at the Co-op on Front Street in January.

Atkinson also admitted the attempted robbery of the Post Office, which is contained in the same premises, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, driving whilst unfit through drugs, and making off without payment of fuel at the Whitby Sainsbury’s store just before 6pm on 8 January.

He has been banned from driving for 20 months.

On the day of the incident, he entered the shop at around 11.40am wearing a camouflage balaclava to cover his face.

Atkinson approached the till while carrying a shopping bag, out of which he pulled out a nail hammer with a black rubber handle which he held by his side.

He asked the frightened shop assistant to open the till and he grabbed money.

Atkinson then approached the Post Office counter and again asked for money.

The burglar alarm had activated at this point and the Post Office staff member was behind the security glass.

Realising he wasn’t going to get any more cash, he walked out of the store and made off in a blue Ford Focus car that he had parked up the hill.

Extensive police enquiries and area searches resulted in the suspect being located and arrested at Carlin Howe, just over the Cleveland border, at 2.41pm the same day.

A search of the Ford Focus resulted in the recovery of the stolen cash, the balaclava, the hammer and the Vans trainers that the suspect was wearing.

Detective Constable Steve Monty, who led the investigation, said: “To be wearing a balaclava and carrying a hammer while demanding money is a very menacing thing to do.

“Atkinson has admitted his guilt and is rightly facing up to the consequences of his criminal actions.

“Both workers were left very shaken by the incident and it continues to affect them to this day.

“I have nothing but praise for the brave and calm way they handled this frightening situation.

“I really hope the outcome