A SYRINGE wielding robber who threatened to inject his victims with disease and poison has been branded a serious public danger and locked up for nine years.

Joseph Reid targeted lone shop assistants during a drug-fuelled crime spree, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

He used needles and a large knife to hold-up staff at a supermarket, two betting shops and a bank over a five-day period.

Reid, 33, formerly of Mallard Court, Lower Grange, Bradford, had been freed from a prison sentence for house burglary only the previous month.

A heroin addict since he was 13, he had committed 89 previous offences. His record included a four year jail sentence in 2004 for robbery, as well as offences of shoplifting, drugs, assault with intent to resist arrest and house-breaking.

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye said his latest crime spree began on August 22 when he tried to make off with meat stolen from The Co-op in Wibsey, Bradford.

Reid was challenged by security staff and grabbed by Special Constable Joshua Jackson.

Mr Jackson let go when Reid drew a syringe, shouted that he had Aids and threatened to stab him.

Brave Mr Jackson pursued him, while summoning help, and Reid was cornered and arrested.

He was bailed and struck again the next day, targeting the Bet Fred bookmaker in Green End, Clayton, Bradford, shortly before closing time.

Staff member, Katrina Walker, was alone in the shop at 6pm when Reid pointed a syringe at her face and demanded: "Give me what you've got or I'll stab you with bleach."

Miss Walker handed over £260, telling police afterwards she was petrified.

Two days later, Reid threatened Katie Buchan, who was on duty alone at Coral bookmaker, in Wrose Road, Shipley.

He produced a syringe at 8pm, threatening: "The needle is full of heroin and bleach," and demanding that she empty the till.

Miss Buchan refused and Reid fled empty-handed.

On August 27, he jumped the queue at the Santander bank in Market Square, Shipley, and threw a screwed up piece of paper at cashier, Rachael Pullan. It read: "Don't be alarmed. I've got a knife. I want £3,000 now."

Miss Pullan told him the till was on a delayed timer and she was unable to open it. Reid again made off with nothing.

He was arrested on September 5 after police examined CCTV footage of the robberies.

Reid pleaded guilty to robbery, two offences of attempted robbery and attempted theft.

His barrister, Elyas Patel, conceded: "These are shockingly serious offences."

Reid's life was blighted by a 20-year addiction to Class A drugs and he acted in desperation.

After his release from jail, his mother threw him out when he began taking heroin and crack cocaine again.

"He was homeless and had nothing to eat and nothing to shoot up his arm for his next fix," Mr Patel said.

He added: "While they were wicked threats, reinforced with the implements he wielded, he did not use those weapons."

Judge Jonathan Rose said Reid posed a serious risk of causing physical and psychological harm to the public.

He sentenced him to nine years' imprisonment, followed by four years on extended licence.