Two teenagers who carried out a terrifying robbery at a convenience store armed with a samurai sword and a carving knife have been locked up for a total of seven years.

Liam Keane, 19, and Scott Brady, 18, threatened staff at the One Stop shop, in Granny Hall Lane, Brighouse, after bursting in wearing masks and wielding the weapons, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Hours earlier, Keane used the sword in a bid to rob the Shell garage in Bradford Road, Bailiff Bridge.

He was sentenced to four years’ detention in a young offender institution and Brady to three years’ detention.

Keane pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, robbery and possession of a samurai sword. Brady pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a carving knife.

Prosecutor Giles Bridge told the court today Keane wanted money to pay off a drugs debt.

The teenagers, both of no fixed address, were spending up to £200 a week on drugs.

Keane, wearing a hooded top and a scarf over his face, pointed the sword at the face of Shell garage manager Zubair Mohammed. He got into the kiosk through an insecure door at 3.30pm on May 4 this year.

Brady was hanging around outside with Keane but backed out of the robbery, the court heard.

Despite Keane’s threats to kill and slash him, Mr Mohammed bravely refused to hand over any money. Keane fled empty handed after Mr Mohammed told him he had pressed the panic button and the police were on their way.

At 9.30pm that day, the teenagers, with their faces masked, robbed the One Stop shop after watching outside until it was empty of customers.

They threatened manager Laura Lewis and another staff member with the sword and knife and got away with up to £500 in cash and cigarettes worth about £100.

The pair paid off Keane’s drugs debt with their spoils and smoked more cannabis they bought from their dealer.

Paul Flemming, Keane’s barrister, said the teenager realised he had been stupid and irresponsible. He used no actual violence and never intended to hurt anyone.

Richard Brown, for Brady, said he was living in bedsits and his cannabis use had escalated. He committed the robbery out of a misguided sense of loyalty to his friend.

Judge Peter Benson said the shops were vulnerable to such attacks.

“They present targets for young men who decide they want to gain cash for themselves,” he said.