CHRISTCHURCH man Benjamin Kenneth Fooks has been jailed after threatening shop staff with a screwdriver during an attempted robbery – before being chased out of the shop by a store worker.

On the afternoon of September 11, 2022, the 35-year-old walked into the Londis branch in Stour Road, Christchurch, and approached two female workers at the counter.

He made threats before pulling a long screwdriver out of his pocket and repeatedly stabbing the shop counter with it, the court was told.

One of the staff members was holding a bottle and bravely held it over her head and chased the defendant out of the shop before locking the door.

Officers attended and an investigation was launched.

Benjamin Fooks was chased out of the store by a shop worker bearing a bottle. Picture: Dorset Police

Forensic analysis of the scene obtained a DNA match with Fooks from a chewing gum stand he had damaged and he was subsequently arrested on October 14.

Fooks admitted attempted robbery and criminal damage at a previous hearing and was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday (April 19).

Detective Constable Mohi Uddin, of BCP CID, said: “Fortunately nobody was hurt during this attempted robbery, but both victims experience long-lasting anxiety and understandable trauma.

“Police handled these incidents extremely seriously from the beginning and I would like to thank the victims for the extraordinary bravery they displayed.”