A RUNCORN thug who tried to rob a dad at axe-point while his nine-year-old son watched in horror has been jailed.

Leon Pike, of Hitchens Close, was caught on CCTV as he hung around outside the Co-op store on Ridgeway, Murdishaw, on his e-scooter on the evening of November 23, 2023.

At 9.40pm, a car pulled up and a woman got out and went into the shop, leaving her fiancee an nine-year-old son waiting for her. 

Pike then rode up to the car, opened the driver’s door, took an axe from his waistband and jabbed the blunt side into the man’s eye socket.

The 33-year-old said ‘where’s the money’ before jabbing the victim again, leaving him dazed and his face cut and bruised.

The victim, who recognised Pike, despite him wearing a hood and a face covering, refused to hand over any money, and later reported him to the police.

Officers went to Pike’s home the following day, where they found a pair of distinctive sliders which were clearly visible on the CCTV footage, as well as e-scooter packaging.

Pike, who has previous convictions for burglary, theft, and assault, was arrested and charged with attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article, but he maintained his innocence.

He changed his plea to guilty on the day of his trial and was remanded in custody to return to Chester Crown Court for sentence.

Defending, Helen Chenery said Pike’s presence at the Co-op before the victim arrived clearly showed the robbery wasn’t planned. 

Pike had been the victim of violence himself in the past, Ms Chenery said, in the presence of his own daughter, and 'struggled to believe' he had put someone else in the same situation. 

She added: “My client had taken the very foolish decision to arm himself as he felt under threat when in Runcorn.

“He understands there must be a substantial prison sentence, and that he needs to get some help when he is released.”

Passing sentence, judge Simon Berkson said: “This was a serious attempted robbery, aggravated by the fact you were habitually armed with a bladed article, and that it was carried out in the presence of a child.”

For both offences, the judge sentenced Pike to 64 months in prison.

He added: “That you were scared is no excuse for carrying a bladed weapon. The fact that people carry such weapons is precisely why you were scared.”