​A gambling addict who committed a knifepoint robbery in a Bath betting shop after losing all his money was today jailed for four years.

Chef Darren Burke pulled a knife on the cashier at Ladbrokes’ Westgate Street shop after frittering away the last of his cash in the branch’s gaming machines.

The 39-year-old, who is of no fixed abode, snatched thousands of pounds from the till but was halted by the “brave and public spirited” manager and three members of the public, including a 75-year-old man.

They will all receive cash awards for their actions, thanks to a direction from the judge.

Burke was arrested at the scene and later admitted a single charge of robbery.

Mark Hollier, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, said he had brandished a knife at Rachel Smith, who has worked as a cashier for 22 years at the Ladbrokes shop, on June 24 this year.

He said the defendant had been playing on the gaming machines until deputy manager Lee Heard went outside for a cigarette, at which point Burke wielded a knife at the cashier.

“He demanded money at knifepoint. She screamed and was frightened and ran for the door. Mr Heard came in and Ms Smith retreated to a pub a few doors away.

“Burke had vaulted the counter and seized £3,200 from the till and was trying to escape,” said Mr Hollier.

He said Burke picked up a bar stool to try to fight people off, but then 75-year-old customer, Peter Greensides, picked up another stool and launched it at him.

Mr Hollier said Mr Heard was then able to grab hold of Burke and bring him under control with the help of two other customers, William Gale and Andrew Crickmore.

The court heard that when police arrived, they found Burke on the floor with the customers and Mr Heard on top of him.

Nicholas O‘Brien, defending, said his client was a “compulsive gambler”.

He said Burke had been in the area looking for work that failed to materialise and had found himself in the city’s night shelter in Bath after gambling most of his money away.

Mr O‘Brien said Burke had taken what money he had left to the betting shop but lost it in the gaming machines.

He said the defendant had not intended to use the knife but had it to intimidate people.

The court head that Burke wanted to receive help from Gamblers Anonymous while in prison.

Jailing Burke for four years, Judge William Hart said: “Your plan was thwarted by the brave and public-spirited actions of a number of people present. “This was a very dangerous and frightening incident, particularly for the lady concerned, and also for others present.”

Judge Hart awarded Mr Heard and Mr Greensides £500 each and awarded Mr Gale and Mr Crickmore £250 each.

Mr Greensides, from Odd Down, had been placing a bet at the time.

He said: “I was minding my own business when I heard one of the staff screaming.

“I thought they were messing around, but when I went over I saw a man with a knife emptying the till.

“He then ran towards the door with the money.”

Deputy manager Mr Heard bumped into Burke as he responded to his colleague’s screams.

Mr Greensides said: “Lee came in and tried to stop the man from leaving, he didn’t see that he had a knife.

“I had to help Lee, and tackled the man to the floor.

“I then threw the knife across the floor, and Lee and I held the man down until the police arrived.”

Ladbrokes has taken Mr Greenside out for a meal and given him a £100 bet to say thank you, but the pensioner said he did not consider himself a hero and had simply acted on instinct.

He said: “I do not think I am a hero, adrenalin just kicked in.

“I didn’t want Lee to get hurt, and knew I had to help him.

“Afterwards I felt a bit shaken up, and had bruised my knees and back.”

Shop manager Rich Brown said: “Pete is a hero for stepping in and helping the staff.

“We wanted to do something to thank him.”