A MAN has been jailed for the violent attempted robbery of a convenience store on a caravan site in Brean.

Gregory Scupham's crime has left his victim psychologically damaged, unable to return to work and now in fear of losing her home due to the financial repercussions.

Drug addict Scupham, 36, was a former employee of the Sandy Glade Caravan Park in Brean where he returned to try and rob the store on Friday, April 14.

The 54-year-old shop assistant had just been closing the store for the day at 6pm when she heard a knock on the front door, Taunton Crown Court heard on Friday.

William Hunter, speaking for the prosecution, said: "The defendant had his hood up and had his face covered, and was carrying a 12 inch wheel brace. The shop assistant told the man the store was closed but he pushed her back and said 'get on the floor now'."

Scupham ordered the assistant to handover the store's takings for that day while the victim screamed for help.

"He then proceeded to push the victim up against a wall where she banged her head, and Scupham said 'I am not frightened to use this' referring to the wheel brace," Mr Hunter said.

Witnesses heard the cries for help and headed over, managing to intervene and restrain Scupham.

Mr Hunter said the attack had aggravated the victim's pre-existing arthritis condition and she had also suffered a cut to the hand as well bruising on her arms, body and back of her head.

"She can no longer work there because she is so frightened and is anxious about being anywhere on her own," Mr Hunter said.

"Leaving her job has had a bad impact on the family’s financial situation and she is worried she could lose her home."

Defending, William Light said Scupham had returned to drugs following issues in his personal life, and was motivated to commit the crime because he was getting calls from people he owed money to.

"Although he has a long record of offences, none are for violence. He has been a nuisance, but it is mainly drug possession and petty shoplifting."

Scupham was also simultaneously sentenced for a second crime involving the theft of a sat-nav, drill and batteries from a van on March 19.

Both offences occurred while Scupham was on a suspended sentence for drug possession.

Sentencing, Recorder Jonathan Barnes said: "You pushed the victim and shouted at her and she must have been absolutely terrified.

"You are 36 and you have the record of a long term drug addict. This was a very unpleasant incident of this kind."

Recorder Barnes sentenced Scupham to two years in prison for the attempted robbery, four months concurrent for the vehicle theft and activated one month of the suspended sentence.