A DULVERTON man who robbed the town’s Co-operative store after threatening staff with a plastic knife and then offered them his name and address, has been spared jail at Taunton Crown Court.

Michael Bright, 26, who admitted armed robbery, received a two- year prison sentence suspended for two years and an order restraining him from going within 100 yards of Dulverton Co-op.

Bright wept in the dock as Judge David Ticehurst told him: “What on Earth possessed you to behave that way is beyond me and probably beyond you. It is almost as if you wanted to be caught.”

Emma Martin, prosecuting, said Bright entered the store at 10.30pm on July 8, threatened staff with a knife and demanded money from the till.

Staff were frightened by the attack and were not aware the knife was made of plastic. Ms Martin said that, after taking cigarettes and money from the till, Bright asked the cashier if she knew him and whether she would like his address.

He also apologised to the staff for frightening them. It was, said Ms Martin, ‘a strange exchange’. After leaving the store, Bright returned home, where he was arrested by police.

Money, cigarettes and the plastic knife were found in his coat pocket.

Harry Ahuja, for Bright, urged Judge Ticehurst to hand down a suspended sentence so that Bright could be helped in the community.

He said Bright suffered from anxiety, depression, a personality disorder and alcohol problems. He had been receiving treatment from mental health professionals but had committed the offence after topping up his medication with alcohol.

He was now sorry for what he had done.

Judge Ticehurst told Bright: “What is particularly bizarre is that you apologised throughout the incident. You also asked shop workers if they wanted your address and it is clear that when visited by police you had in your possession the items that had been stolen.

“You have enough problems in your life. You have to sort yourself out and accept the help available to you.”

The judge also ordered Bright to pay a £140 victim surcharge and £177 to Dulverton Co-op.