A man who threatened a shop assistant with a fake gun as he tried to rob a Mansfield store has been jailed for a total of five years.
Steven Mark Smith burst into Athishaya Stores, in Ladybrook Place, shouting "money, money, money" and brandishing what looked like a black handgun.
The 20-year-old threw his "swag bag" at the employee and demanded she fill it with cash but her screaming alerted the shop owner who came running out of the back and collided with Smith.
In a bemused state, Smith then fled the scene empty handed, leaving behind the draw-string bag with traces of his DNA.
DC Steve Dunn said: "Smith terrified the shop assistant, leaning across the counter and pointing his fake firearm in her face as he made demands for the takings.
"When the shop owner came rushing out of the back, he literally ran into Smith who then stumbled out of the shop.
"In his haste he left behind his swag bag and the evidence that connected him to the crime. This coupled with extensive local enquiries, detailed examination of the scene and a meticulous trawl of CCTV, meant that Smith was arrested a week later.
"The shop assistant has understandably been traumatised by the ordeal and I hope the fact that Smith is now behind bars will help bring her some closure."
The incident happened at about 8.45pm on Tuesday 23 October 2012.
Smith, of Darlton Street, in the Ladybrook Estate, in Mansfield, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at a previous hearing.
He appeared at Nottingham Crown Court today where he was sentenced to three years for attempted robbery and handed a two-year sentence for possession of an imitation fire arm, to run consecutively.
