A man who robbed staff at an Ipswich restaurant of cash has been jailed for 55 months.

Antonio Wells went into the The Forge Kitchen in Duke Street as staff were cashing up and demanded money after producing a hammer and shouting at them, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Staff handed over £1,300 during the robbery which took place in February this year, said Catherine Bradshaw, prosecuting.

Wells, 35, of no fixed address, admitted robbing Max Clapson and Kieron Critch of cash at The Forge Kitchen.

He also admitted burglary at Bright Acres Hire or Buy in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, during which a power drill worth £600 was stolen and a burglary at Coastal Building Supplies in Wentworth Road, Ipswich, during which power tools worth £1440 . He also admitted taking a Vauxhall Corsa without consent.

All the offences were committed on February 8. In addition to being jailed Wells was banned from driving for 12 months plus half his jail term.

Richard Kelly, for Wells, said his client had planned to commit a burglary at The Forge but when he found two people in the office he had decided to demand money.