AN ILMINSTER man has been spared jail after he robbed a South Somerset service station of nearly £2,000 cash.

Kevin Charles Sandy, 40, of Court Barton, Ilminster appeared at Taunton Crown Court by video link from Bristol Prison where he had been kept in custody.

The court heard that Sandy went into Broadway Service Station in Merriott at around 11.35am on July 3 when he saw the store owner and a member of staff counting around £3,000 cash.

Sandy then said "give me the money" before the member of staff put her hands over it to prevent him from taking it, said Caroline Bolt, prosecuting.

There was then a struggle in which the victim sustained grazes to her hand and elbow, and a scratch on her forearm.

The court then heard that one of the two women stabbed sandy in the face with a pen before he made off with £1,740.

He was followed by a member of the public, and police arrested him very soon after.

Joseph Wright, mitigating, read out an apology from Sandy.

It said: "I am truly sorry for what I have done and the pain I have caused the victims.

"I hope I have the chance to prove myself again so I don't commit any offences again and hurt people like I have."

Judge David Ticehurst said: "You are 40-years-old and this is by far and away the worst offence you have ever committed.

"Do you know the maximum penalty for robbery? It is a life sentence. That shows the seriousness of the offence you have committed.

"Just imagine how those ladies must have felt. They are doing their work when someone like you comes in, threatens them and steals almost £2,000 in cash.

"I accept that you are remorseful and that this was something that occured on the spur of the moment, and caused in a large part by your addiction to drugs."

Sandy was sentenced to two years in prison, to be suspended for two years. He will also serve a drug rehabilitation requirement for two years, and pay a surcharge of £100.