A 22-year-old man who robbed a newsagent's shop twice -- terrorising the same student worker on both occasions -- has been jailed for three and a half years.

Preston Crown court was told that Jonathan Allen robbed the Earby newsagents in August and September last year to raise money to pay off debts.

Allen, of Church Street, Barnoldswick pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two charges of robbery. William Staunton, prosecuting, said the first robbery took place on August 24 at the newsagent's on Water Street, Earby.

At the time he had a wooden baton and told the female employee to give him the money. £200 was taken.

During the second robbery Allen was masked and wearing sunglasses and he had a metal bar.

The same girl was working in the shop and £150 was taken. Mr Staunton said the experience had left the student distressed. She had problems sleeping and was wary of strangers.

She needed to work to fund her education and now cannot work alone.

CCTV footage of the two raids was shown in court.

When interviewed, Allen said he had owed money to a dealer.

He had settled the debt and wanted to score and buy drugs.

He denied he had been involved in the second offence.

Passing sentence, Judge Edward Slinger said he had taken into account the fact that Allen had pleaded guilty and that heroin problems had led him to commit the offences.

"People who work in shops are particularly vulnerable and they must be protected from people like you," said Judge Slinger.