Shop in Southampton after he robbed its owner at knifepoint was jailed for five years in Supreme Court yesterday.

Robert Burns (Durrant), pleaded guilty to three of the seven counts against him when he appeared before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward.

Burns, defended by Ms Patricia Harvey, apologised for his actions: "It was not a serious plan, I didn't get anything out of it,'' he said.

But Mr. Justice Ward told him he would have to pay for his crimes: "Housebreaking and robbery seem to be on the increase,'' he said. "I know we should seek to encourage rehabilitation, but we must consider the rights of other persons ... we should send a signal to others who intend to commit similar offences.'' The court heard that Burns entered a dwelling house through an open window and stole four bottles of wine between May 14 and 20, 1992.

On June 26, an unlocked cycle left unattended by its owner outside a home was taken by Burns. He was found with the cycle on July 9 and admitted using it in his robbery of the Rising Sun Shop on June 30.

Burns entered the shop where only a storekeeper was present, at 11.20 a.m. He walked around the store, picked up two kitchen knives with blades of approximately 4-inches, held them to the storekeeper and demanded that she hand over the cash register.

Burns was given approximately $92 and Visa and American Express cards and card receipts before he left the shop, dropping the knives on the floor.

He made his getaway on the stolen auxiliary cycle.

The defendant told Police he went to the shop intending to rob it and showed officers where he had dumped the cash box. He said he spent the money on food and beer.

Mr. Justice Ward sentenced Burns to three years for housebreaking, one year for taking the cycle and five years for the shop robbery. He allowed the sentences to run concurrently but ordered that Burns' four other charges remain on file.

Crown counsel was Mr. Brian Calhoun.