A gambling addict who robbed a betting shop while wearing a stocking over his head and armed with a crowbar has been jailed for 18 months.

Ashley Shields managed to steal only £300 from Corals in Canterbury Road, Folkestone, on September 20 last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard there was one employee and three customers in the shop when the 27-year-old burst in during the evening.

Judith King, prosecuting, said Shields demanded cash from the tills and fled after stuffing it into a carrier bag.

A customer decided against tackling the raider on seeing the crowbar.

Shields, of Cheriton Road, Folkestone, walked into the town’s police station the next day and gave himself up.

Noemi Byrd, defending, said Shields, who admitted robbery, had a gambling addiction and committed the offence when going through the breakdown of his marriage.

He had borrowed £1,000 from a man to gamble.

“He acknowledges that what he did was foolish and regrettable,” said Miss Byrd. “He was trying to find a way to repay the money he owed.”

Judge Philip Statman said Shields had robbed the bookies of a relatively small amount of money.

“I appreciate you did not raise the crowbar to anyone, nonetheless it was a frightening experience.”

The judge said he invited the licencing authorities to assist Shields with his addiction.