A DANGEROUS armed robber who ‘terrorised’ a betting shop cashier as he brandished a carving knife has been locked up for six years.

Serial offender Peter Dixon swooped into Marston’s Betfred shop before clambering over the counter grasping the weapon.

The knife-wielding robber, who had 24 convictions for 97 offences, left lone cashier Tanya English trembling in fear as he frightened her into handing over more than £1,000.

Jailing the defendant at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Maria Lamb deemed Dixon a ‘dangerous offender’, handing him a three-year extended licence period needed to protect the public from a ‘significant risk of serious harm’.

But she declared she would not slap the robber with a life sentence, despite having powers to do so, claiming it was unjustified.

The judge added: “Ms English was utterly terrorised and terrified by what you did. That lady has suffered long-lasting psychological harm.

“Your record of offending demonstrates a willingness to arm yourself to threaten those who come into conflict with you and has escalated to a point where you are prepared to use violence.”

Dixon, who donned a black beanie hat and duffle coat, flaunted the knife as he entered the Cherwell Drive bookmakers at about 8.10pm on December 10 last year.

He scrambled over the counter, demanding cash hidden inside a safe from Ms English, prosecutor Michael Roques said.

The cashier surrendered to his demands, before he forced her to open the till, fleeing the scene with £1,161.10 - which has never been found.

Customer Andrew Wheeldon was inside the store when he bravely called the police as the robber threatened him with the blade.

He followed Dixon as he made off from the scene, spotting the registration plate of Dixon’s get-away car.

Police later discovered the abandoned car and Dixon’s fingerprints at the shop, the court heard on Thursday.

The terrifying ordeal has left ‘apprehensive’ cashier Tanya English suffering flashbacks, fearing for her welfare when customers enter the shop and unable to work by herself.

Defence barrister Ronan McCann said Dixon, who must pay a victim surcharge, is ‘completely alone’ and has no living family members, leaving him without a support network.

The barrister revealed ‘destitute’ Dixon, who admitted robbery, was 28 when he embarked on a life of crime, adding: “This is an individual who has nothing, who finds his greatest moments of stability from being in custody.”

Dixon, of Clarks House Bail Hostel, Clarks Row, Oxford, must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before the parole board can consider if it is safe for him to be released.