A MAN has been handed down a six year prison sentence following a "frightening" armed robbery at a Dorset bookies.

Yannis Young, aged 34 and of Minet Avenue, Harlesdon, London, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, March 26 after admitting a charge of robbery.

The court heard that on Friday, January 31, this year, two members of staff were in the process of locking up the Betfred bookmakers, Victoria Road, Ferndown, when two masked men approached.

These robbers, wearing balaclavas, gloves and armed with a knife, threatened the two shocked staff members and forced them back into the bookies.

One of the robbers took around £150 in cash before leaving, the crown court was told.

Londoner Young remained in the bookies with the two victims, where he demanded further money.

He made his escape a short time later by smashing a glass door to exit.

However, Dorset Police officers arrived quickly on scene and immediately launched a search operation.

Young was tracked by a police dog and found hiding in a bush outside a nearby block of flats.

In his possession was a rucksack containing a balaclava and gloves.

The second armed robber was not found by officers, despite a widespread search. Detectives are still working to track him down.

Detective Constable Jordan Hopkins, of Bournemouth CID, said: "This must have been a very frightening ordeal for the staff at the betting shop and I am pleased that thanks to the quick arrival of officers we were able to track and locate one of the men responsible for this offence.

“Our efforts will continue to identify the second man involved in the robbery."

As well as the six years in prison, Young was handed an extended licence period of a further two years.