A MAN has been jailed after he attempted to carry out a knife point robbery at a takeaway in Kendal.

Josh Roelants, of Park Avenue, Windermere entered a Chinese takeaway on Highgate Road, Kendal shortly after 9 pm on October 23 posing as a prospective customer, when he approached the front counter, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

However, the court heard Roelants had no intention of purchasing a meal and instead reached into his pocket and pulled out a large kitchen knife before pointing it towards the lone staff member instructing them to ‘give me all your money’.

Having heard the threat, another staff member appeared and the defendant immediately retreated, fleeing from the scene.

Following an area search, officers quickly located Roelants less than 30 minutes later and he was arrested.

During a search of the defendant, officers located a large kitchen knife matching the description of the knife used in the offence.

Roelants pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article in a public place at an earlier hearing.

He was sentenced by Recorder Shaw at Carlisle Crown Court today (February 7) to three and a half years imprisonment.

The 21-year-old was also sentenced for a separate offence of theft which occurred on August 26 last year whereby he snatched a handbag from a person on Highgate, Kendal.

Speaking after the sentencing, Police Constable James Winder, working within Kendal and Eden CID, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victims of the attempted robbery, who were simply doing their job, and thankfully no one was hurt.

“I am pleased with today’s sentencing and hope this sends a clear message to anyone making a conscious decision to carry a knife and use it to intimidate members of the public.

“These types of offences are completely unacceptable, and we will do everything we can to bring criminals to justice.”