Paul Harris, 36, of Marston Road in Clayhall, jailed for robbing Wine Connect in Chigwell Road

Paul Harris, 36, of Marston Road in Clayhall, wielded a meat cleaver as he raided the ‘Wine Connect’ store in Chigwell Road, Woodford Green.

He first targeted the shop on May 1 this year grabbing two bottles of wine worth £47 from the shelf after shoving shop boss Thilagarajah Tnadarajah out of the way.

He returned two days later, threatening MrTnadarajah with a meat cleaver before grabbing £200 cash and escaping, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Witnesses saw Harris run into a friend's home in Copford Close and called police who arrested him.

Harris told officers he had only taken £95, adding that he gave it to a drug dealer to pay off a debt.

He has a string of previous convictions including several thefts and a street robbery, an offence which he was jailed for in 2002 after six years on the run.

At his trial, he admitted two counts of robbery and one count of possessing an offensive weapon.

He was handed a four-and-a-half year prison sentence with an extended three-year licence period to 'protect the public'

Sentencing, Judge Louise Kamill said: “You have become a drink and drug addict and have various personal problems.

“You have been out of control for some time.”

Harris appeared close to tears and told the judge: “I would just like to say the drugs and alcohol have wrecked my life.

“I'm sorry for what I have done and I intend to turn my life around.”

Judge Kamill wished him 'good luck' as he was led out of the dock.

Speaking after the trial ‘Wine Connect’ owner Mr Tnadarajah, 33, said: “I feel better knowing that he’s in prison.

“I was very scared when he threatened me with the meat cleaver and worried about working on my own in the shop for a long time.

“But I am OK now and am happy with the sentence he has been given.”

Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Facebook