A MAN with a £200-a-day ketamine habit has been jailed for robbing a Grove newsagent’s at knifepoint.

Jonathon Flint left staff and customers terrified as he burst into McColl’s, in Savile Way, and demanded cash at 7.30pm on February 21.

The 22-year-old, who has 18 convictions for 35 previous offences, was jailed for 30 months at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, after earlier admitting charges of robbery and having a knife.

Claire Tucker, prosecuting, said supervisor Marian Tame was at the till and four shoppers, including two children, were in the shop when Flint burst in.

He took out a 6in kitchen knife and held it close to Miss Tame’s stomach.

Flint, of Collett Way, Grove, escaped with an estimated £200 from the till.

Although he had a scarf over his mouth and wore a woolly hat, witnesses recognised him as the brother of a regular customer and informed police, Miss Tucker said.

His brother found Flint slumped against a tree with white powder around his nose. Flint told him: “I’ve done something silly. I need to hand myself in.”

Sumita Mahtab-Shaikh, defending, said: “Mr Flint was under the influence of drugs and needed to repay a drug debt. He was in fear for his own safety and for the safety of his mother.”

She added: “He has had a drug addiction for the last 10 years, since he was about 12 or so. He has used crack cocaine but his main addiction is ketamine, a daily habit of £200 or so.”

The drug is an anaesthetic for animals and humans.

Judge Anthony King said: “Those who dabble in drugs find that there are consequences and this is the consequence in your case. It’s no good saying ‘sorry, I didn’t mean it’.”