TWO youths who brandished carving knives as they tried to rob a petrol station cashier were locked up for a total of nine years on Friday.

One was also sentenced to a further one-year consecutive for attacking his co-defendant while at court last week.

Andrew Henderson, 19, and 16-year-old Simon Manning, who later told a probation officer he had "a passion" for knives, armed themselves with the 12in-bladed weapons before going to the Total garage in London Road, Sittingbourne, in October last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that one of the youths was wearing a bandana to conceal half his face when they demanded that cashier John Gamble, who was working alone, hand over money.

But Mr Gamble, who was cashing up for the night, bravely refused. Prosecutor Fiona Moore-Graham said: "He told them in no uncertain terms where to go."

Henderson and Manning, still brandishing their knives, repeated their demand but Mr Gamble again said no. This time they gave up their robbery bid and fled empty-handed.

They were arrested in the area that same evening and the knives were found in bushes. When interviewed by the police, Manning made no mention of the raid while Henderson denied any involvement.

However, the court heard that both eventually pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

Sentencing them to four years and five years respectively in a young offenders’ institution, Recorder Ian Wilson said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence was justified.

Manning’s sentence was lighter only on the grounds that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Henderson did not admit the charge until the day he was due to stand trial.

"It makes no difference that you left empty-handed," said Recorder Wilson. "You must appreciate that people who work in places like petrol stations and convenience stores are performing a public service.

"They present an easy target for people like you. Despite the fact Mr Gamble stood up to you I have no doubt that he was, at the very least, disturbed."

Manning, of Ostend Court, Kemsley, also asked for an offence of burglary and one of handling stolen goods to be taken into consideration.

Recorder Wilson said he regarded Manning, who has a previous conviction for assault, as "a potentially dangerous young man".

Henderson, of Grovehurst Avenue, Kemsley, was also sentenced to a further one-year consecutive for assault causing actual bodily harm, with an extended licence period of two years.

The court heard that he had attacked Manning while at Maidstone Crown Court last week. The two youths had been due to be sentenced but while waiting for their case to be called on Henderson branded Manning a grass and lashed out.

Miss Moore-Graham said: "As Mr Manning went to open a door he felt the back of his head being pushed from behind, making him head-butt the door.

"While dazed he was punched by Henderson to his left temple. This caused him to bang his head against the wall and fall to the floor. He then felt kicks to his ribs and leg. He later said he felt as if he was being jumped on at least three times."

Henderson was eventually pulled away by shocked barristers and probation officers. One, the court heard, later described it as "the most brutal of attacks".

Henderson himself told police he had hit Manning because he felt he was blaming him for the attempted robbery.

Henderson, who has previous convictions for common assault and theft, also asked for an offence of shoplifting to be taken into consideration.

Alistair Keith, defending Manning, said the attack had left him suffering from migraines and that his hearing, which was already poor, had worsened.

Of the attempted robbery, Mr Keith said: "I think it is a proper submission to make that not only is he young in age but is young for his age."

Ann-Marie Sheehan, defending Henderson, said her client was a cannabis user and on the day of the raid bid wanted money to buy drugs.

"He accepts that when he committed this offence he was thinking more of himself than the potential effect on any victim," she said.

The court heard that both knives had come from Manning’s home.

Recorder Wilson said the assault on Manning by Henderson was an aggravating feature and that he was imposing an extended licence period to protect the public.