A DRUG addict claimed he was forced to rob a newsagent just days after his release from prison to pay back a drug debt.

Spencer Simpson, 24, of South Way, Abbots Langley, had been out of Woodhill prison just weeks when he tried to get away with £2,000 from McColls in Chalfont Road, Maple Cross, Watford magistrates heard last Friday.

They were told by Simpson's defence he had been forced to carry out the robbery on the afternoon of Saturday, January 18, after he was met outside the prison by men he owed money for drugs.

Simpson had gone to the back of the shop at 1.40pm, where the manager Mr Tindale was counting money.

He grabbed the cash and ran out, but threw the money back at the manager when he gave chase.

The getaway car sped off and Simpson was later picked up by police. The manager suffered minor injuries during the chase and all but £740 of the money was recovered.

The day before the robbery, Simpson had gone to the same shop and brought goods with a stolen credit card.

The thieves had returned to shop the next day because they considered it a soft target.

Simpson had been out of prison just days after his release on Friday, December 27, when he broke into a vehicle in Stevenage, the court heard.

Simpson pleaded guilty to robbery, obtaining property by deception and attempted theft from a vehicle at a previous hearing and sentenced to a total of four months imprisonment, including 28 days imposed for unpaid fines dating back to 1997.