A newspaper delivery man had just cycled to work to start his round when he was approached and threatened by 26-year-old Adam Walker.
Walker, of Stock Well, Bulwell, threatened to injure and rob him and demanded money as the victim wheeled his bike into a shop in Sherwood.
He managed to get inside the shop but was followed in by Walker who then threatened a shop cashier working behind the till instead.
Nottinghamshire Police say Walker was being aggressive towards the cashier and tried to reach over the counter towards him but he managed to activate the alarm and he ran out of the shop.
The victims were not injured during the incident, which unfolded at around 6am on October 12, 2019, but both were left shaken.
The incident was caught on CCTV cameras and Walker was later arrested and charged.
He was handed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting to charges of attempted robbery and using threatening, insulting or abusive words and behaviour. He was also ordered to pay a £149 victim surcharge.
Detective Constable Natasha Ullyatt, from Nottinghamshire Police’s Robbery Team, said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the victims who were both threatened with violence by Walker. I’d like to commend them for their bravery.
“Nottinghamshire Police will not tolerate violence within our communities and takes all reports of robberies extremely seriously.
"We investigate all reports and carry out thorough and robust investigations to trace suspects and bring them before the courts to face justice.”
