A DRUG user who attacked an elderly York shopkeeper with an axe has been jailed for seven years at York Crown Court.

Simon Hickey, prosecuting, said that Paul Michael Wilson ran into Kenneth Lockwood's Gillygate newsagents armed with a six-inch bladed axe and demanded money.

The 74-year-old shopkeeper bravely refused and was slashed across his face and arm in the attack. His wounds needed nine stitches.

Another man, Christopher Dyer, acted as lookout during the attempted raid, the court heard.

The Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, told the raider: "It's plain to me that you must be put out of the way for some time. You are a dangerous man."

Wilson, 22, and Dyer, 21, both of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. Wilson was jailed for seven years and Dyer's sentence was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Mr Hickey said Mr Lockwood tried to defend himself with a stick, but Wilson grabbed it from him.

The newsagent's wife, Berry, who was in a back room, heard the shouting and set off an alarm.

The raiders fled to the Peaseholme Centre, but eye-witness Beverley Richardson had recognised Dyer and knew he was living there. Police arrested both men there.

Mr Hickey said Wilson confessed to officers immediately.

Richard Bloomfield, defending, told the court: "There's not a lot I can say on his behalf that can make it any better."

Wilson asked for 16 other offences to be taken into consideration, including four burglaries at commercial premises in Teesside, and a burglary at York Central Library in June.

Afterwards Mr Lockwood said: "The police are going to have to review the way they handle violence - there is so much of it.

"I'm now a lot more wary of people coming into the shop, but there is a limit to what I can do. I just want to draw a line under it now."

Updated: 11:45 Saturday, December 21, 2002