A ‘VERY haphazard’ robber who stole cash after threatening to throw ammonia at a shop worker has been jailed.

Nathan Cooper, of Bay Tree Road, Ulverston, pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and having a corrosive substance in a public place and was sentenced at Preston Crown Court.

The court heard the 26-year-old entered Pelleymounters, a hardware shop on New Market Street in Ulverston, at around 11am on July 26 this year.

Prosecutor Paul Cummings told the court: “Once the defendant had left the shop a witness noticed that there was only one bottle of ammonia on the shelf where there had previously been two.

“A shop assistant at Cut Price on Market Street in Ulverston saw the defendant carrying the bottle of ammonia into the shop at about 11:45 am.”

The defendant then approached the counter and immediately began unscrewing the bottle lid, the court heard.

He told the shop assistant: ‘I’m deadly serious, open the till’, Mr Cummings said.

“In response the shop assistant handed over three £10 notes and a further £25 in five-pound notes after the defendant had demanded more money.”

The court was told Cooper entered another shop on Buxton Place in Ulverston five minutes later.

The owner of the shop noted the bottle was about half full and formed the impression that the defendant was ‘on edge’ and that he ‘did not look quite right’ as he was ‘walking quickly and looking around rapidly’.

Mr Cummings said: “The defendant spent several minutes in the shop generally looking around before he turned to the shop owner and said in a raised tone: ‘I’ve got some ammonia, where’s your till?’

“The shop owner decided the best course of action was not to appear panicked by his request and to walk out at a normal pace.”

The court heard the shop owner commented that he did not feel in particular danger. He told police ‘nothing about what he (the defendant) seemed thought out, it just seemed very haphazard.’

Cooper was arrested later that day where he volunteered to the police: ‘It was ammonia that I used. I will just be straight up with you’.

His Honour Judge Michael Maher jailed Cooper for 54 months.

Detective Constable Oana-Petronela Pruncu said: “Nathan Cooper made serious threats towards his victims that he would cause them harm if they did not allow access to their tills.

“These offences can be terrifying for the victim and can have a lasting effect.

“We take robbery offences extremely seriously and such threatening behaviour will not be tolerated.

“I am pleased with the sentence today and I hope this sends a message that we will do everything we can to bring criminals to justice.”