A man has been jailed for attempting to rob a shop in Ashton Under Lyne with a make shift axe.

Gregory Braithwaite entered the Premier Store on Crowhill Road in a desperate bid to gain some alcohol in May last year.

Despite his menacing nature, the store keeper stood firm and refused to hand anything over.

A frustrated Braithwaite left the store empty handed.

While the incident was going on a mother was in the store with her eight-year-old son and both were left traumatised as a result.

When police picked up Braithwaite, 36, he was so intoxicated he had no recollection of the incident.

It emerged he had been on a three day binge consuming alcohol and drugs before the offence took place.

He appeared in Manchester Crown Court Crown Square recently to be sentenced after confessing to attempted robbery.

The man from Penrith Avenue in Ashton under Lyne received a 27 month sentence for the offence.

A statement from Greater Manchester Police acknowledged his guilty plea but said the actions had a “dramatic physical and mental effect” on the mother and son who were forced to witness the horrifying ordeal.

It said: “Braithwaite committed this offence following a three day binge on drink and drugs and when questioned could not remember the incident.

“Although Braithwaite pleaded guilty throughout the investigation and showed remorse for his actions this had a dramatic physical and mental effect on a mother and her eight-year-old son who were present in the shop at the time Braithwaite committed this offence.”