A BETTING shop regular who tried to rob another gambler and then hit two police officers has apologised in court to his victims.

Wesley Jordan Glover, 25, admitted attempted robbery and two counts of assault by beating, and was given a 13-month prison sentence.

Glover, of Reid Place, Haxby, appeared via video link from HMP Hull for the hearing at York Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard that Glover was misusing heroin when he saw his victim Simon Rushby win £380 on a roulette machine at Betfred in Acomb on April 26 this year.

Both men were regulars in the betting shop, but did not know each other well. Glover followed Mr Rushby out of the shop and down the street, where he punched and scuffled with him and tried to take Mr Rushby's wallet.

Police were called and when PCs Nicola Manning and Nicola Elliot arrived Glover resisted arrest and hit both officers.

Defending Glover, lawyer Neil Cutte said his client was ashamed of his actions and wanted to apologise.

Mr Cutte added: "This was a moment of stupidity. He does not want to be in this position again."

Judge Deborah Sherwin said Glover would get credit for pleading guilty on his first appearance in a crown court.

"Had this been a successful robbery, and had you gone to trial, you would have got two years imprisonment," the judge added.

She handed Glover a sentence of 12 months in prison for the attempted robbery, and one month for the two assaults, making a total of 13 months, and said the time he has already served on remand will count towards his sentence.

After the sentence was passed, Glover told the court he still wanted to apologise to Mr Rushby and to both the police officers, something Judge Glover asked prosecutors to pass on via the police.