A knife-wielding thug who tried to rob a Motherwell shop has been jailed for 27 months.

Despite being wounded, an employee refused Reece Hamilton’s demands to open the till.

Hamilton eventually gave up the struggle and ran off empty-handed.

He was sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.

The raid happened at a Spar in Merry Street on March 12.

Hamilton, 26, who lives in the same street, admitted assault with intent to rob and possession of a blade.

Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said the employee was behind the counter when the accused arrived about 9.45am.

He was holding a knife and kept demanding that the man get “all the money out”.

Mr Thomson told the court: “The employee feared for his safety and grabbed the accused in an effort to free the knife from his grip.

“A struggle ensued whereby the employee sustained a small cut to his hand from the blade.

“Despite repeated demands, he refused to open the till.

“This provoked the accused into shouting and swearing. He then pushed the till off the counter, turned around and ran out of the shop, still with the knife.

“The incident was captured on CCTV and police identified the accused.”

Hamilton also admitted separate charges including obstructing a drugs search and careless driving that involved him crashing a motorbike into a police vehicle.

He has two previous convictions for carrying a knife and was on a community payback order at the time of the attempted robbery.

Defence agent John-Paul Gallacher said Hamilton developed a drug problem in his early teens which led to his behaviour “spiralling downwards”.

The solicitor added: “He is a realist and knows the implications of his behaviour on others.

“He has been in custody since March and has used his time there constructively.”

Passing sentence, Sheriff Ray Small told Hamilton: “Given your record and the fact you were prepared to present a knife at a shopkeeper, no disposal other than custody is appropriate.

“I accept drugs are the background. They are an explanation but are not an excuse.”

The 27-month sentence was reduced from three years due to Hamilton’s guilty pleas.