A ROBBER has been jailed for three years after a court heard how he made off with £1,000 from a building society.

Mark Pentony handed over a note reading: "I need £1,000," after telling staff at the Chippenham branch of Britannia that it was a hold-up.

And when the 32-year-old was caught soon after the raid, he said to police: "What would you do if you had been on the streets for three years?"

Nick Hawkins, prosecuting, said Pentony went into the building society in the town's Market Place shortly after 11.30am on November 22 last year.

"There were two service tills both being occupied by lady assistants. There was also a member of the public present being served by one of the assistants," he said.

Making no attempt to conceal his identity he said the robber went to the counter and handed over a note saying "Please don't sound the alarm, I need £1,000."

Mr Hawkins said that the woman behind the counter could not see the man's hands and though she wasn't frightened for herself, just for the safety of the other customer, she handed over the money.

As she did so she activated the security camera which took a number of stills of Pentony as he left the premises.

The police were told about the raid and they contacted the town's taxi drivers to keep a look out for anyone matching the robber's description and he was soon spotted in Greenway Lane.

When he was questioned by police Mr Hawkins said he was 'remarkably candid' admitting what he had done and said he was sorry.

At an earlier hearing Pentony, who has a couple of minor convictions from more than a decade ago and is of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to robbery.

Jailing him Judge John McNaught said: "You are not the usual bank robber.

"You were down on your luck, cold and hungry so you took this extraordinary step. You were caught within minutes and the money was recovered, you didn't have a weapon, there was no violence and you didn't mess the police around.

"Against that is the fact that banks and building societies do present easy targets as they are stuffed with money and staffed often by women cashiers."