A HEROIN addict who threatened to shoot a customer as he robbed a Runcorn betting office has been jailed today for nine years and eight months.

Andrew Clark, aged 37, of Sextant Close, Murdishaw, Runcorn walked into M Cook bookmakers in Palacefields at 8.30pm on Saturday, June 13, this year, pointing a pistol.

Two female members of staff fled to the back of the shop in terror, Warrington Crown Court heard.

Simon Parry, defending, said: “He pointed the gun at a customer and shouted to the women: ‘If you don’t give me the money, I’m going to shoot this man.

“I’ve got a gun to his head. I’m going to blow his head off.”

The hooded gunman kicked a screen to try and reach the till.

An assistant manager, in her 20s, handed over £360 in cash.

As Clark made his getaway, he pointed the gun again at the customer, a man in his 60s.

He was arrested hiding in undergrowth in Castlefields on June 30 after his discarded clothes and weapon were found in a dumped rucksack.

Detectives traced him through DNA on his gloves.

Clark admitted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at Chester Crown Court on September 14.

A 20-year-old cashier was so frightened, she quit her job.

Sentencing him, Judge Nicholas Woodward said: “It is quite obvious this would have been an absolutely terrifying and traumatic experience for those who had the misfortune to undergo this.

“You held a gun to this man’s head and shouted that you were going to kill him.

“You have a bad, lengthy criminal record.”

He sentenced Clark to six years and eight months for possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and three years for robbery.

Both are to run concurrently.

Defending, Katy Appleton said Clark has been addicted to heroin for the last 11 years.

She said he tried to combat his drug dependency to care for his mother, who has ovarian cancer, and his nan, who has cancer of the lower spine.

He owed £200 for a drug debt and threats of violence had been made to him and his family, the court heard.

Miss Appleton added: “He acted out of desperation and fear. People put a price on his head.

“He is remorseful.”

Clark has vowed to conquer his addiction.