A robber who launched himself through an after-hours serving hatch in a bungled forecourt raid has been jailed for six years.

Grant Miller, 29, dived into the serving hatch at Middlemoor Service Station in Workington armed with a hammer. Miller got away after a struggle but the hammer was left behind with his DNA on it.

Judge Paul Batty QC said Miller had appeared before the courts 23 times. He added that the cashier and customer who foiled the raid should receive an award for their actions.