A SERIAL offender is back behind bars after attempting to rob a Bridgwater petrol station just six days after being released from prison.

Nigel Saunders, 22, from Sydenham Road, snatched a till full of cash from the former Total garage on Taunton Road, now owned by BP, but was foiled by an employee who grappled with him until he fled empty handed.

Saunders was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for robbery at Taunton Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard Saunders and a carload of friends pulled into the garage at 9.20pm on December 29 last year.

He went into the garage to buy alcohol, but after being told there was none in the store, grabbed the till from the counter.

Total worker Dan Holcroft then bravely wrestled with Saunders - until he was bitten by the defendant who ran out of the shop.

Police arrived and arrested Saunders, when the group's car failed to start on the forecourt.

Jennifer Tallentine, prosecuting, said Saunders had convictions for attempted robbery, burglary and assaulting a police officer.

In 2007 he was sentenced to two years in a young offenders institution for a robbery in which two victims had screwdrivers held to their throats.

Patrick Mason, defending, said his client had been in and out of prison so often he no longer knew how to live lawfully.

He also said Saunders was battling a drink problem.

Judge Michael Longman said: “This is exactly the sort of incident that is feared by those providing a public service outside normal working hours.”