A HOODED robber who wielded a knife at a shopkeeper shouting “give me all your money, or I will kill you” has been jailed for four years.

Christopher Huxham, 22, tried to rob A & Y Grocers in Broad Street, Banbury, in June when he stormed into the corner shop waving a kitchen knife.

However, the duty shopkeeper fought back with a chair and — although he received minor cuts to his hands — managed to disarm Huxham and remove his hoodie. DNA from these items proved crucial in helping the police catch Huxham, who later admitted attempted robbery.

The court heard Huxham, of Jubilee Court, Banbury, had a string of previous convictions to his name, including battery and criminal damage.

On Monday, recorder David Altaras jailed Huxham for four years, of which half would be spent on licence. He said: “Let me make it clear to you that this is a very serious offence indeed. You armed yourself with a knife, you pulled up the hood of your coat and covered your face.

“The victim I regard as a vulnerable person and, although you threatened to kill him, he tackled you. You could have caused him very serious injuries. The fact you armed yourself with a knife and used it is a greatly aggravating feature of this case.”

Adrian Amer, defending, said: “I can’t deny the victim may well have been frightened out of his wits by this.” But he said things looked “positive and constructive for the future” for Huxham, who wants to join the French Foreign Legion when he is released from prison, having already been turned down by the British Army.