A WOULD-be robber has been jailed after he threatened a stranger with a piece of wood.
Officers were called to an address in Trinity Road, Halstead, after reports of an attempted robbery in February.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard the victim was driving home in his van when he saw a man he didn’t recognise standing at the bottom of his driveway holding a piece of wood.
As he got closer, the victim wound his window down a little and asked the man what he wanted.
The attacker - who was later identified as Aaron Rowe – asked if he knew a man called Jack to which the victim responded no.
Rowe then threatened to smash the victim’s window if he didn’t hand over £20.
The driver told him if he didn’t leave he would call police but Rowe then swung the piece of wood at another car parked on the victim’s driveway and then threatened to hit him.
The victim rang Essex Police and drove off to get away from Rowe, who chased him and hit the van’s bonnet with the wood twice.
Police arrived soon afterwards and arrested Rowe.
Rowe was charged with attempted robbery, attempting to cause criminal damage and criminal damage following the incident on February 25.
Rowe, 24, of Magdalen Street, Colchester, admitted the offences at Chelmsford Crown Court and was jailed for 15 months.
The court heard Rowe was under the influence of drink or drugs at the time of the incident.
Det Con Kevin Flinn, of Braintree CID, said: “The court heard Rowe was under the influence of drink or drugs at the time and could not remember what happened.
“Fortunately the victim was unhurt but it left him fearful of a similar incident happening again.”