A ROBBER who attacked a Huddersfield shopkeeper with a Samurai sword has been jailed indefinitely after a judge deemed him to be a continuing danger to the public.
Richard Brook, 32, was told yesterday that he would have to convince a parole board that he his fit for release before he was freed.
Bradford Crown Court heard he tried to rob an off-licence with a Samurai sword and a wooden bat.
Brook had drunk around 13 cans of lager when he raided Poplar Stores at Poplar Road, Birkby, back in April.
Armed with the weapons Brook demanded money from the manager, Saleed Ahmed, who at first thought that he was joking.
But the reality of the situation soon hit home as Brook put the sword to Mr Ahmed's neck and repeated his demands.
Mr Ahmed bravely fought back and with the help of his assistant tried to disarm their attacker.
After a short struggle Brook left the shop empty-handed and dropped the sword on the way.
The two men were able to give the police a good description of the defendant because he had been in and bought things from the shop three times already that day.
Brook was arrested from his home at Fartown Green Road, Fartown, Huddersfield and told officers he could not remember the incident.
After he was shown the CCTV footage of the incident he admitted that he was the man wielding the sword.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted robbery at an earlier hearing.
The judge was told that Brook has a previous conviction for affray when he stuck a man's toe into a live electrical socket.
Martin Robertshaw, defending, told Judge Linda Sutcliffe that his client had a drink problem, but had curbed his alcohol intake since the offence.
He added that Brook was disgusted with himself and had made two suicide attempts because of the pressure of the court case.
Passing sentence, Judge Sutcliffe told Brook that he will have to serve at least two years in jail before being considered for release, but would not be let out until he has convinced the parole board that he no longer presents a serious danger to the public.
She added: "It's plain that until something is done about your drink problem in my judgement you present a high risk."
