A knife-wielding thug threatened a 'petrified' shopkeeper as he demanded money.
Aaron Law, 27, stormed into the McColl's with another man and held a knife up to Matthew Grave's neck.
They ordered "do as you're told or else", frogmarching him to the till which he was forced to empty and hand over.
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But Law was caught out when he left DNA on his victim's jacket, having grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
Chris Hopkins, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, said at 7.20pm on October 8 last year the Mr Grave was working at McColls on Admirals Road in Birchwood, Warrington.
Mr Hopkins said two men entered the shop with their faces covered and their hoods up.
He said Mr Grave "got a bad feeling" and then saw one of the men, Law, carrying a knife.
Mr Hopkins said Mr Grave was "frogmarched" to the till as Law held him by the scruff of the neck while pointing a knife at the back of his neck.
The men said "do as you're told or else" and they ordered him to empty the till and hand over the £578.90.
The pair then made off, but Law was identified after leaving DNA on Mr Grave's jacket.
In a police interview Law admitted his involvement.
Mr Hopkins said he has previous convictions for dishonesty and and three convictions for possession of a blade.
Jonathan Rogers, defending, said his client admitted the offence in interview and submitted while he had previous convictions, the most recent was seven years ago.
Mr Rogers said upon his release from prison after serving five years in a young offenders institution Law had been staying in a rented property, but after the owner died he had nowhere to live.
He said the person Law then moved in with "came up with the idea" for the robbery.
Mr Rogers said: "He understands it was wrong, he knows he is going to prison.
"He wants to knuckle down and obtain qualifications."
Law, of Partridge Close, Warrington, admitted one count of robbery.
Judge David Aubrey, QC, said: "It is quite clear this robbery was not committed on the spur of the moment, it was pre planned and premeditated.
"Undoubtedly you were a willing joint participant in this robbery and so it was you sought to ensure your face was covered and you were in possession of a knife."
The judge said his previous convictions for possession of a knife aggravate the offence.
Judge Aubrey said the victim was most likely "petrified at the time".
Law was jailed for 40 months.
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