A TEENAGE boy high on a cocktail of drink and drugs brandished a gun in the face of a shopkeeper and demanded cash.

The boy and a friend pulled their coats over their faces and ran into the shop and pointed a replica revolver at the terrified storekeeper's face.

The man pushed the gun away from his head and set off an alarm forcing the pair to run from the shop.

But as he left the shop 17-year-old Gareth Lomax turned and shouted abuse and his coat slipped from his face. The attempted robbery was caught on CCTV cameras.

Bolton Crown Court was told Lomax lived near the off-licence and was well known by the store owners.

Lomax, of Longthorne Walk, Deane, was recognised instantly and police arrested him within 20 minutes.

His accomplice was arrested two hours later but the prosecution offered no evidence against the second youth.

Appearing before Bolton Crown Court, Lomax admitted attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at the RV Store in September.

Geoff Whelan, prosecuting, said Lomax was seen earlier by a group of young people with the imitation revolver and an ammunition belt.

Wayne Jackson, defending, said Lomax had taken temazepam and valium tablets along with alcohol.

Judge Gillian Ruaux said the store owner had thought he was going to be shot. She sentenced Lomax to a 12 month Detention and Training Order and ordered the gun, which was later recovered from another teenager's house, be destroyed.