A KNIFE-wielding masked robber, who targeted the same Hindley shop twice, has been jailed.

Dean Walton was told by a judge that he will serve six years immediately and imposed a three year extended licence.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that 28-year-old Walton raided the Tesco Express store on Atherton Road on the afternoon of June 13 this year wearing a black stocking over his face and carrying a knife just minutes after checking out the premises.

He waved the weapon at the terrified assistant, Emma Blake, who co-incidentally had been present in the premises when he robbed it in May 2009.

He demanded cash from the till and when she fled he tried to open it but failed and ran off empty handed - pelted with bottles of beer by a plucky customer.

He had been recognised and was arrested later at home, said Frank Dillon, prosecuting.

The court was told that Walton had been jailed for 56 months after robbing the same store five years earlier.

Sentencing him Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, said, "You did not learn from that."

He told Walton, who showed no emotion, that he poses a serious risk of significant harm to others.

Walton, of Telford Crescent, Leigh, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, possessing a knife and shoplifting, involving stealing from a shop shortly before the raid.

Martyn Walsh, defending, said Walton suffers from anxiety and depression and had drunk 15 pints of beer before carrying out the offences.

"He is genuinely remorseful and realises drink is his downfall and wants to take steps to address that in the future," he said.

Mr Walsh added that Walton has a partner, who has two children, who is standing by him. As Walton was led to the cells he called over to his partner, who was in the public gallery, "I love you."