A ROBBER held an employee hostage at knifepoint and 'dragged her round like a rag doll' during a terrifying hold-up at a burger restaurant.

Dean Walker grabbed the woman in a headlock and held the blade to her throat during a violent heist at McDonald's in Bury New Road, Whitefield, that had customers cowering in the toilets.

He was jailed at Bolton Crown Court yesterday, May 26, for carrying out two robberies and one attempted robbery over the course of three days in the run up to Christmas last year.

The knife-wielding qualified gym instructor targeted Premier Inn in Middleton Road, Heaton Park, on December 19 where he climbed over a counter and tried to intimate a lone receptionist with a knife into handing over cash.

He fled empty handed and struck at the McDonald's two-and-a-half hours later.

Prosecutor Vanessa Thomson told the court: "The defendant was seen to enter the restaurant by the side door.

"The victim was standing at the end of the counter. She was standing on the customer side, sorting out raffle tickets for an offer.

"He approached her, put his left arm around her neck, putting her into a headlock.

"She, as did her colleagues, immediately noticed the defendant had a knife in his right hand, which he then held to the side of her head.

"He gave to the employees a black drawstring bag.

"It was clear to the witnesses the defendant was extremely agitated."

Walker, who was disguised in a two-tone black and grey hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and a face covering, said: "Put the money in the bag before I stab this woman."

CCTV video of the robbery showed customers who were entering the store, including younger diners, had spotted what was happening and fled into the toilets as Walker continued to keep hold of the victim and lifted her off the ground.

Ms Thomson said: "He dragged her around, to use her words, 'like a rag doll'.

"He has banged her against the counter as she has dangled from his arms."

"She attempted to struggle and she was terrified as to what was going to happen to her.

"Despite her struggles there was no let up from the defendant.

"Each time she tried to release the defendant's grip from her neck, he held the grip tighter."

The duty manager took takings from the till and put it into Walker's drawstring bag.

Walker demanded even more loot and the manager went to the safe to collect a larger sum and the defendant eventually fled with £225.

Ms Thomson said the victim suffered bruising to her side and neck and still receives counselling six months on.

The court heard Walker was later arrested for taking a vehicle without consent – a matter not pursued by the Crown Prosecution Service – and was held in a police cell and released without officers realising the 32-year-old was a wanted man.

Hours later he held-up a My Local store in Crumpsall where he threatened two members of staff with a knife and was handed £80 before telling one of the pair 'Cheers pal. You're all right, you are' and fleeing on foot before eventually traced.

The father-of-two changed his plea in March to admit one count of attempted robbery, two of robbery, three of possession of a bladed article and one of breaching a restraining order.

Barry Grennan, for Walker, told the court: "All were carried out in amateurish and unsophisticated way.

"It's his case he never intended and would never harm anyone with the knife.

"The motive was essentially financial. He had a drugs debt and was under threat."

Walker, of Cleveland Road, Crumpsall, who had previous convictions for drugs trafficking and possession of a firearm and ammunition, was jailed for a total eight years and three months.