A Barnet man has been jailed after robbing a petrol station armed with a meat cleaver in St Albans.

Matthew Woods, 23, from Hamilton Road, was given a four-year sentence at St Albans Crown Court on Monday (November 15). 

He had previously pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of a bladed article, breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order and possession of cannabis.

Shortly after 9.10pm on Saturday, September 4, Woods entered the Esso garage on London Road and demanded that a female staff member open the till.

He then produced a six to eight-inch meat cleaver, took the cash and left.

An investigation was launched and Woods was identified as the suspect and arrested in Gloucester last month.

Investigator Jacob Smith said: “Thankfully no one was hurt during the incident but this was understandably a very frightening ordeal for staff.

“I’m pleased that Woods is now off the streets and I hope this serves as a warning to anyone involved in criminality that we will do whatever it takes to track offenders down and bring them to justice, especially those who endanger others by carrying weapons.”