A CONVICTED robber who claimed he had a gun and demanded £12,000 from a bank cashier has been jailed for more than three years.

Burnley Crown Court heard Peter Woodhouse, 28, had been standing patiently with other customers in the queue at Barclays Bank in Rawtenstall.

Cashier Lisa Hartley, although shaking with fear, was not sure if the threat was real and thought the defendant might be suffering from mental illness.

When dense smoke was released into the bank, the defendant calmly waited for the police to arrive.

Woodhouse, of no fixed address, but formerly of Dale Street, Rawtenstall, was already on a three-year community order for robbery.

He also admitted affray last July.

Judge Andrew Woolman, said the defendant thought only of himself and added that his actions could have provoked severe reaction in victims, such as a heart attack.

Woodhouse was jailed for 18 months for the affray and two years for the robbery.

Brian McKenna, prosecuting, said the cashier could only see the defendant from the chest upwards and could not see if he had anything in his hands.

His arms seemed to be bent on each side of his body and he was pushing his stomach onto the counter towards her.

Miss Hartley told him he would have to wait because her safe was locked and he did not seem bothered by the delay and nodded.

The cashier then went to a colleague who activated the smoke.

Police, called by a customer, arrived and Woodhouse was arrested.

After his arrest he said he was dependent on methadone and thought if he got himself arrested he might get treatment for his addiction.

The defendant, said by medics to have a personality disorder, had been subject to an interim hospital order since February 12.

Mr McKenna said Woodhouse was subject to the community order after he raided Althams travel agents in Ramsbottom, in June 2008, and got away with £350.

Jeremy Lasker, for Woodhouse, said his conduct was a cry for help.