An armed robber who attempted to raid a shop with a knife has been jailed, thanks to the quick actions of a shopkeeper.

Justine Roberts, 43, of Abbotswood, Benfleet, received four years for robbery and 12 months for possession of a knife, to run concurrently, after admitting the offences at Basildon Crown Court.

At about 8.40pm on Saturday, April 14, Roberts entered Appans Super Store, in Kiln Road, Thundersley, and selected alcohol and tobacco.

She then told the shopkeeper that she needed to get cash from her car and walked out with the items.

However, the shopkeeper grew suspicious, followed her and grabbed the bag during a struggle.

Roberts calmly came back into the shop and threatened him with a knife.

The victim then grabbed a step ladder and managed to knock the knife out of Robert’s hands before she drove off with tobacco.

Det Con Johnda Hughes, of Basildon CID, said: “While it’s not clear whether Roberts went to the store intent in carrying out a robbery, she clearly didn’t like being challenged and threatened the shopkeeper with a knife.

“She didn’t expect the shopkeeper to defend his business and he bravely fought back.

“I want to praise him for his assistance during the investigation.

“Roberts tried robbing a business of two packets of tobacco and four cans of beer and in return has received four years in prison.”

Roberts, who is a prolific offender and has been jailed previously for attempted armed robbery, handed herself into police on Monday, April 16.

She was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court.

This is the second time in a matter of weeks that Appan’s Super Store has been targeted by armed robbers.

On Friday, March 30, a staff member was forced at knife-point into the family’s home upstairs in a bid to get the owner to come down and open the till.

The staff member managed to get into the lounge and locked the robber, who was armed with a knife and had his face covered with a pink scarf, out in the hall.

He left empty handed and is still at large.