A MAN branded “a danger” to the public, particularly retail staff, has received another extended sentence for his latest robbery, raiding a travel agency while brandishing an axe.

Peter Elvin, who was released from prison on post-sentence licence supervision only five days earlier, bought the axe, giving false details at a hardware store, before entering Hays Travel, in Stanley, wearing a snude-type scarf to cover much of his face, at 10.30am on October 1.

Durham Crown Court heard he headed to the foreign currency desk where a staff member was dealing with a customer.

Clearly seen to be holding the axe, Elvin told the female assistant: “I’m not going to hurt you, I just want you to give me the money.”

He repeated his demand but told the woman he only wanted sterling.

Elvin entered the kiosk and helped himself to £11,500, more than £8,000 in sterling, placing it in a bag, before leaving the Front Street premises, saying: “Please don’t follow me?”

He was seen on cctv running from the scene and the abandoned axe was found in a church yard.

Having been recognised on cctv footage, police arrested him back at the approved licence accommodation where he was living post-prison release, in Dunholme Road, Newcastle, by mid-afternoon that day.

But the court was told the stolen money was not recovered by police.

The 41-year-old defendant, who indicated a denial on identification grounds when he appeared before magistrates, days after the incident, did admit robbery and possessing an offensive weapon, at an earlier crown court hearing.

Sentence was adjourned to see if Elvin could be dealt with consecutively, having been recalled to prison, to serve the remainder of his previous ten-year sentence for four robberies, imposed in 2014.

It was accepted he could not.

Judge Singh said, however, it was “unarguable” he poses a risk to the public, “particularly retail staff.”

He told Elvin: “Your behaviour, I’m afraid, shows a continued pattern, of continued compulsive behaviour, indicating a risk of serious harm, and I have to find you are a dangerous offender.”

A six-year custodial sentence was passed with five years’ extended licence, which means he must serve at least four years of the custodial sentence before he can be considered eligible for release by the Parole Board.