A man who robbed a pregnant petrol station cashier while he was high on drink and drugs was jailed for four years on Friday.

Lee Lewis, who committed his first robbery when he was just 11, struck at the Total garage in Eridge, near Tunbridge Wells, on the same day he had been charged with assault and affray in relation to a knife attack in Tunbridge Wells.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Susie Lawrence was alone at night in the petrol station on January 26 when Lewis and an accomplice burst in and demanded money.

Miss Lawrence was 10 weeks pregnant at the time. Despite immediately unlocking the till she was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance by the other man as Lewis grabbed approximately £50.

The court was told that the incident was treated so seriously by the police that a tactical firearms unit and air and dog trackers were immediately deployed.

Lewis, 23, was arrested within minutes and the stolen money was found in his pocket. At the time he told officers: "Fair enough. You've got me."

The robbery occurred just hours after Lewis, of Friezland Road, Tunbridge Wells, had been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and affray. On that occasion he had jabbed a man with a knife. Further violence erupted with Lewis was still armed with the knife and his co-defendant, Shaun Sturmer, was brandishing a hammer.

Lewis admitted ABH and affray on October 13, as well as the offence of robbery, and was committed by Sevenoaks magistrates to the crown court for sentence.

Sturmer, 24, of Willow Tree Road, Tunbridge Wells, also admitted affray and was committed for sentence. He had no involvement in the robbery.

Lewis was jailed for three years for robbery and one year concurrent for the offences of ABH and affray but consecutive to the robbery charge, making a total of four years. Sturmer was jailed for a year for affray.

Passing sentence Judge Andrew Patience QC said the robbery had had a "devastating" effect on Miss Lawrence's life. The court heard she had given up her job as a result and had been rehoused as she feared encountering the robbers again.

"She was alone, vulnerable and she was pregnant...It is a robbery which must attract an immediate custodial sentence," he said.