GAMBLER Ian Thomas has been jailed for four years after he tried to rob the Westbury bookmakers where he had just lost all of his money.

The burly 41-year-old waited until the shop was empty before storming in armed with a baseball bat and with a scarf covering his face.

Thomas had also fashioned a set of makeshift handcuffs from plastic he found in his car, which he was going to use on his victim.

But the masked raider left empty-handed after manager John Clithero shouted and screamed as he resisted the terrifying attack.

Marion Langford, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the bookie boss was in the office at Westbury Racing in Maristow Street, Westbury, shortly before 9pm on Wednesday, March 19.

He had seen the last two customers leave when he heard a smashing noise coming from the back of the shop.

As he went to investigate he was confronted by Thomas coming out of the kitchen area with his face covered and brandishing a small baseball bat.

The raider threatened him with the weapon and grabbed at his arms to try and prevent him hitting him.

Demanding money, Thomas yelled open the door, open the door' at the worker to try and get into the back of the shop.

Mr Clithero said he was terrified and shouted and screamed as loud as he could, fearing the man was going to hit him.

Shortly after the incident the police received a phone call from Thomas admitting what he had done and arranging to go to a police station to be arrested.

He said he lost £1,600 in the betting shop that afternoon and returned to try and get the money back. Thomas, formerly of The Caravan, Longbridge Deverill Farm, near Warminster, but now living in a flat in the town, admitted attempted robbery.

Alex Daymond, defending, said his client had lost his job as a taxi driver and was worrying about how he was going to live and repay his large debts.

"He thought his winning streak would continue and went to the betting shop in Westbury and lost everything."

Passing sentence, Judge Charles Wade said the victim was vulnerable working in a shop alone. The attack was also premeditated and organised, He said: "I would be failing in my public duty if I did not pass an immediate period of custody on you."