A man who held a shop owner at knifepoint before making off with her car and the days' takings, was jailed for five years yesterday.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Dahvindeer Grewal was terrified when Stephen Deerin threatened her with a knife after she locked up her fish and chip shop.

Glen Gatland, prosecuting, told the court how Deerin was a tenant of Mrs Grewal, living above Mel's Chippy, in Tantobie, County Durham.

He said Mrs Grewal was locking up for the day with her employee, Gemma Stevenson, when Deerin turned up, asking for a ride to his brother's house in Gateshead.

He got in the back seat of the Ford Mondeo, with Mrs Grewal driving, and on the journey to Sunniside, pulled out the knife and shouted at her to stop the car.

Mr Gatland said: "Living above the chip shop, the defendant could clearly see Mrs Grewal putting the days' takings into the boot of the car, which were in the region of £200.

"In an attempt to get away, she grabbed the knife and suffered a cut to her fingers. Both ladies jumped out of the car and ran away. The defendant drove off in the car."

The court heard how the police were informed and Deerin was arrested in Newcastle days later, after spending the money on clothes and drink.

Deerin, of Front Street, Tantobie, admitted robbery.

Brian Russel, mitigating, said Deerin did not intend to steal the money and only came across it when he searched the car.

Sentencing Deerin, Judge Esmond Faulks said he regarded him as dangerous.