A DRUG addict has been jailed for three years and four months after a bungled raid on a bookmakers.

Stacey Turner, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Richard Godden burst into the William Hill shop in Cavendish Square shortly on July 31.

Godden vaulted the counter and sprayed a noxious substance' into cashier Susan Chalkin's face as she tried to stop the raid.

Having stolen cash, the 24-year-old again used the spray, which he later claimed was a deodorant, on a 72-year old pensioner as he and two other punters tried to stop him.

Miss Turner said that although he had taken cash from the till he left penniless as he dropped the money in the scuffle.

Godden was arrested soon after and denied any involvement, even after he was shown CCTV footage of the attack.

However Godden, of Cranmore Avenue, Park South, pleaded guilty to robbery when he appeared at court.

Miss Turner said he had a long list of previous convictions including three robberies when he was a juvenile and a conviction for actual bodily harm.

Rob Ross, defending, said his client had a drug addiction and owed a lot of money to dealers.

Since being remanded in custody awaiting sentence he said Godden had made full use of the courses on offer and was determined to get off drugs.

Jailing him Judge Douglas Field said: "You robbed this premises, this small commercial premises, with some planning.

"You entered these premises with your face obscured and you were armed with a spray and I regard that spray as a weapon. You jumped over the counter and tried to take money.

"A brave middle-aged lady tried to intervene and she was visited by considerable violence by you - she was sprayed in the face. Later on an elderly gentleman intervened and he was visited with violence. Your vulnerable victim has had to see a counsellor and is still experiencing anxiety and still thinks about this experience."