A ROBBER who terrified an off licence manager by threatening him with a machete has been jailed for five years.

Lee Gibbs has been so traumatised that he has been unable to work since his ordeal at the hands of Graham Purser on May 20.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Purser, 33, went into Thresher’s wine store in Echo Square, Gravesend, at lunchtime and pulled the machete from his trousers waistband.

Purser, of Princes Road, Gravesend, grabbed just over £150 from the till and fled from the store. He admitted robbery.

Judge Stephen Robbins said such shops were vulnerable because of comparative lack of security and it was traumatic for staff.