A RHYL man has been put behind bars after subjecting shop workers to a terrifying attempted robbery with a broken bottle.

Derryn Grief, of Rhydwen Drive, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday morning.

The 27-year-old admitted offences of theft, attempted robbery, having an offensive weapon, damaging property and assaulting an emergency worker.

Catherine Elvin, prosecuting, told the court that on October 19, Grief entered Aldi in Prestatyn at around 8pm and stole a bottle of whiskey worth £9.99.

Around two hours later, he entered a nearby Londis store holding a broken glass bottle approached staff member Afra Ahmed, who was at the till.

He demanded that she give him alcohol, and in fear she called out for her colleague Anand Ashok.

Grief took hold of Mr Ashok's arm and led him to the area where the alcohol was, holding the bottle to his neck and telling him: "Give me the vodka or I'll stab you."

However both victims managed to get the defendant out of the store, with Ms Ahmed trying to hit him with a shopping basket.

When police located the defendant, he was arrested and put in a police vehicle.

But after being told he'd have to wait until they arrived at St Asaph custody facility to use the toilet, Grief became "irate" and repeatedly kicked the window frame, causing it to bend out and rendering the vehicle unusable.

He also urinated in the back of the vehicle.

Officers captor sprayed him, but Grief continued with his aggression, pulling one of them to the floor and causing him to scrape his hands and knees.

Rhyl Journal: Derryn Grief (North Wales Police)Derryn Grief (North Wales Police) (Image: NWP)In his victim statement, Mr Ashok said the incident hadn't had a significant impact on him - but that he's more alert if a customer enters the store with their face covered.

Ms Ahmed said she is very scared the incident will happen again and is uncomfortable and nervous about working at night.

Ms Elvin told the court Grief has 29 convictions for 73 previous offences - his most recent one being conspiracy to rob in 2018, for which he received a 66 month term of imprisonment.

Sarah Yates, defending, told the court: "The most powerful mitigation I can advance is the credit for his guilty pleas.

"He is ashamed of his behaviour and wishes to openly apologise to all of his victims in these matters.

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"He of course has an unenviable record and the matter is aggravated by the fact he was in drink."

She added her client had been in custody since his appearance in the Magistrates Court but that he'd been using the time "constructively."

Ms Yates said Grief had been struggling to deal with the loss of his 18-year-old brother and that he'd been using alcohol "as a crutch" - which exacerbated his behaviour.

Judge Nicola Saffman told Grief: "Ms Ahmed was terrified, and called for her co-worker.

"You took him by the arm and aimed the broken bottle at him.

"But thanks to their bravery, they got you out of the store and prevented you from stealing anything."

Grief received a total custodial sentence of 34 months.