A MAN who attacked a shop assistant with a hammer has been jailed for three years.

Liam Jones, 21, walked into Armadale General Store, Armadale Road, Dukinfield, and asked the worker, who was alone in the shop, for some cigarettes.

As the 36-year-old shop worker turned to get the cigarettes, Jones, of Jeffreys Drive in the town, hit him on the head with a hammer and demanded cash.

The victim has been unable to return to work since the attack in August due to anxiety attacks.

Jones, who grabbed money out of the till and ran off, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at Manchester Crown Court. He was sentenced to three years for armed robbery and one year for possessing the weapon, to run concurrently.

Det Con Michael Robinson from Tameside CID said: "Although the victim's physical injuries may have healed since the attack, he has been left extremely traumatised by the incident and still suffers anxiety attacks as a result.

 "Jones did not make any threats to the victim before hitting him, leaving him unable to protect himself in any way.

"I hope this case shows the devastating consequences robberies like this can have on victims, and will make people think twice before terrifying an innocent person just for a bit of cash."