A MAN who attempted a knifepoint robbery on a Galashiels shop has been jailed for 16 months.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard that William Devlin, 29, entered the Premier store in Scott Street and threatened the female shop assistant with the weapon if she did not hand over money from the till.

However, the woman refused his demand and told the masked raider to go away.

He fled empty-handed and was later identified by CCTV.

Devlin, of Howdenbank, Hawick, pleaded guilty to charges of assault and attempted robbery and also being in possession of a pointed article in a public place on the afternoon of Sunday, August 2.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he would have imposed a prison sentence of 20 months but reduced it to 16 months due to the guilty plea.

The sentence was back-dated to August 3 when Devlin was first remanded in custody in connection with the case.