THREE robbers who held up a small family shop at knifepoint have each been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

A court heard how Zarine Fozada, 43, who was minding the A-Z grocers on Hereford Road, Blackburn, ended up with an injury to her arm after one of the men leapt over the counter and produced a knife.

Carlos Deoliveira, 32, of Redthorpe Close, Bolton, Brian Evans, 23, of Wimberley Street, Blackburn, and Dwayne Evans, 21, of Waterloo Close, Blackburn, appeared at Preston Crown Court having pleaded guilty to robbery.

Prosecuting, Jeremy Grout-Smith said the three defendants entered the shop on the evening of May 4.

Deoliveira, who was at the front, ran and jumped over the counter, he said.

The woman, fearing she would be attacked, pushed him away shouting and screaming, the court heard.

Deoliveira then thrust a knife towards her, grazing her arm.

Dwayne Evans began tampering with the till, which was then thrown to the floor.

Brian Evans had kept watch at the door. About £300 cash was stolen in the raid.

Mrs Fozada's terrified screams alerted her 16-year-old son Zubair, who was nearby doing his homework. He managed to pull her though into the living accommodation and locked the door behind them.

Mrs Fozada's two other children, Azmina, 12, and Zakir, 10, also witnessed the attack. One later had sleeping problems because of the terrifying experience, the court was told.

Speaking at the time of the incident, Mrs Fozada told the Telegraph she thought she was going to die.

Prints from Deoliveira's trainers were found behind the counter.

His counsel, Amanda Johnson, said that he was not aware that he had harmed the woman. She said: "It was not a deliberate action on his part."

She added that he had committed the crime after becoming addicted to drugs.

Kath Johnson, repres-enting Brian Evans, said he had expressed remorse for his involvement in what he now realised to be a serious matter.

He maintained that he had only been the look out, having been put under pressure and intimidation to become involved.

Nick Kennedy, repres-enting Dwayne Evans, said he had been reluctant to take part in the robbery.

The other two had started to call him chicken'. He was persuaded to go along with it after Deoliveira said they would be straight back.

"He was not an instigator or a planner," said Kennedy.