A thug who botched an armed raid on a newsagent’s shop tried to pretend the whole thing had been a joke.

Joshua White, 20, struck at EMC Newsagent’s on Yorkshire Street, Oldham, an hour after the business had opened up for the day.

He watched from outside until the coast was clear and the owner had his back to him.

He then pulled on a balaclava, rushed inside, and grabbed Adil Hussain around the neck.

He held a pair of scissors at his throat, and there was then a struggle between the two men.

Jennifer Birch, prosecuting, told Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court that Mr Hussain bravely managed to force his attacker outside onto the street, and was then able to grab his head.

She said at this point White, of no fixed address, laughed out loud and told his victim: "I was only joking. I just wanted to see your reaction."

A taxi driver who had seen part of the scuffle, gave chase, but was unable to catch White.

An hour later, however, White gave himself up at Oldham police station,

He told surprised officers: "I’ve just done an attempted armed robbery at a newsagent’s on Yorkshire Street."

After being arrested, he refused to answer any questions during an interview.

White was on licence after serving part of a custodial sentence for wounding, when he tried to rob the shop on April 8.

Sentencing him to three years and four months at a young offenders’ institution, Judge Stephen Lowcock told him: "Your victim showed great courage in struggling with you when you had the blade of a pair of scissors at his neck.

"It must have been a terrifying experience, and immediate custody is inevitable."

He said he had to consider whether he could be classed as a danger to the public, but had concluded after reading reports, that he was not.

John Wishart, defending, said that White, who pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, had shown positive signs of improvement since being remanded in custody pending his court appearance.

He said: "I am not sure that he is able to cope adequately outside a structured environment, and this incident could well have been a cry for help.

"He appreciates that if he doesn’t change his attitude, he will be a lost cause."