A man has been jailed for over six years after he held a knife to a supermarket worker’s throat in Hemel Hempstead.

Karl Jones, of no fixed address in Peterborough, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court yesterday (February 22) over the knifepoint robbery at Budgens in The Heights on November 4.

The 33-year-old approached the supermarket service window at around 2.30am and asked the staff member to pick up items from inside the shop.

Watford Observer: Karl Jones was handed over six years in prison over several offences.Karl Jones was handed over six years in prison over several offences. (Image: Hertfordshire Police)

He then climbed through the window and grabbed the employee, holding a knife to his throat while forcing him to remove cash from the hill.

The employee unlocked the door to allow Jones to escape with around £450.

Jones was arrested in Hemel Hempstead on November 8 after he was spotted by police and charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article.

Watch the video of the knifepoint theft released by police:

He pleaded guilty to both counts and was handed a five-year sentence for the robbery, plus six months for possession of a bladed article.

In addition, he was given a further nine months for 11 shoplifting offences which occurred in Cambridgeshire and Hemel Hempstead, plus six months for two common assaults, to run concurrently.

The Peterborough man was also given a seven-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) which will set out conditions he must abide by on his release from prison.

Detective Constable Michael Knight, who led the investigation in Hertfordshire, said: “This was an extremely frightening ordeal for the victim. Thankfully he wasn’t hurt during the incident but has been left with harrowing memories of what happened that day. 

“I hope this sentence can bring him some closure and enable him to move forward.

“Jones is a dangerous man with several convictions and I’m pleased that he is now off our streets.”