A man who threatened a fitness centre owner with a crowbar during a robbery has been given a three-year custodial sentence.

Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday that Joshua Windle had been sentenced to six years youth custody last October for an offence of wounding with intent.

He committed the robbery, with an accomplice, Martin Lee, in November 2009.

Prosecutor Timothy Stead told the court that businessman Andrew Carr owned a number of businesses, including the fitness centre in Wibsey. He left the premises at 5pm and put £200 in his Toyota Land Cruiser.

Mr Stead said the businessman ought to have had more money in his possession, but he had dropped off between £3,000 and £4,000 in takings earlier.

The prosecutor said a Vauxhall Zafira, owned and driven by Lee, blocked the exit of the Toyota.

Windle, 20, his face covered by a balaclava mask and brandishing a crowbar above his head, opened the passenger door of the Toyota, and shouted at Mr Carr to get out and open the boot.

He then got in the vehicle and drove off.

Mr Stead said Windle set fire to the stolen car, which was found burned out later.

Lee picked up his co-accused in the Halifax Road area and was given £40 by Windle for his part in the robbery.

Mr Stead said it was apparent from CCTV that the Vauxhall had been waiting in the vicinity for at least three hours before the robbery.

Windle’s barrister, Sophie Drake, said at the time of the offence he was heavily involved in drugs which made him desperate for money, but he had now rid himself of drugs.

She said although a weapon was produced, it was not used, and while the offence was planned, it lacked sophistication.

Yunus Valli, representing Lee, said he had led a law-abiding lifestyle and the offence was totally out of character. He said Lee’s role had been peripheral.

Windle, of no fixed address, and Lee, 34, of Reevy Road, Wibsey, both pleaded guilty to robbery.

Recorder Geoffrey Cook said it was a serious robbery and must have been a terrifying experience for the victim.

He ordered that Windle served his sentence consecutively to the six years he was already serving.

He sentenced Lee to 51 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years, with supervision, 200 hours of unpaid community work and attendance at the restorative justice project.