A masked raider, who used a hammer to try and rob a Devizes convenience store, has taken a judge’s advice and returned to his Liverpool home to get help.

The judge at Swindon Crown Court, Recorder Ian Lawrie QC, showed pity on Ian Bennett and allowed him to walk free.

This week Bennett’s cousin, who lives at his former address in Forty Acres Road, said Bennett, 21, was upset about his actions.

He said his cousin knew shop assistant Kerry Peacock, who was behind the counter at the One Stop shop in Eastleigh Road, very well.

The cousin, who did not want to be named, said: “He has gone back up north now to get help. I know he was upset about what he did.”

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told the hearing on Friday that the raider, wearing a hoodie and balaclava, went to the shop shortly before 11pm on Thursday, July 17.

She said he told Ms Peacock: “This is a robbery” and indicated for her to open the till.

He then went behind the counter and also tried to open it, but when he couldn’t he grabbed hold of her and shouted at her to open it, which she couldn’t do.

“While holding on to her he was hitting a cigarette display behind her with the hammer,” she said.

Miss Marlow said Luke North, who was monitoring the CCTV, recognised Bennett as a frequent customer and used the in-store public address system to spook him. Bennett fled empty-handed.

Bennett pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. He denied possessing an offensive weapon and prosecutors said they did not seek a trial.

Michael Hall, defending, said his client suffered from an emotionally unstable personality disorder with anti-social traits.

The judge imposed a two-year sentence suspended for two years with supervision and alcohol treatment.