A RAIDER who "lost his nerve" in an armed robbery on a jeweller's shop has failed to overturn an indefinite sentence.

However the minimum term on Clark Townsend, from Accrington, was reduced by 12 months to two-and-a-half years by Court of Appeal judges.

The court heard Townsend, 27, brandished an imitation firearm at the Lancaster store. Townsend, of Whalley Road, admitted attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm and was sentenced to indefinite imprisonment with a minimum three-and-a-half years.

Townsend had became agitated and pointed the gun at staff again, before he "lost his nerve" and fled empty handed.