A BARRY man, whose 'inept attempt at bank robbery' ended when he was bundled to the ground and held down by a passer-by, was jailed this week.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Richard Clarke wore a hooded sweatshirt, with the hood up, and dark glasses as he tried to rob Barclays Bank on Holton Road on January 25 this year.

Clarke, 23, of Lydstep Road, appeared at the court for sentencing on Tuesday, having pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how Clarke, who was armed with a lock knife with a three inch blade, pushed a note that read 'give me the money now' under a cashier's window.

He told her to 'deal with that' - before he was grappled to the floor by passer-by Jake Hudson, who held him until police arrived on the scene.

Clarke was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for attempted robbery, and given a concurrent 18-month sentence for possession of an offensive weapon - minus the 80 days that he has already served on remand.

Sentencing him, judge Justice Griffith Williams said: "It was an inept attempt at robbery.

"However, your attempt to avoid arrest caused anxiety to those around you."

Mr Justice Williams added that he did not believe Clarke was a threat to the public, but said that those who attempt to rob banks will be punished and that the sentence should serve as a deterrent.

Have-a-go hero Jake Hudson was awarded £250 by the court for his efforts to stop the robbery.

After sentencing Clarke, Mr Justice Williams commended 23-year-old Jake for his bravery in tackling the robber.

"Mr Hudson did that which a lot of other people would not have done," he said.

"As a token of gratitude, he shall be awarded £250, which he will be awarded at a future date by the High Sheriff of South Glamorgan."

Hero Jake, a sales advisor for Commercial Direct in Cardiff whose mobile phone was smashed in the struggle, said: "It's great, I'm delighted!

"I wasn't expecting it - it will pay for my driving theory test!"