A 25-year-old man is behind bars awaiting a long prison sentence after admitting an attempted armed robbery at a property company in the middle of Bradford.

Michael Stenhouse confessed at Bradford Crown Court yesterday to being the masked raider who burst into Bradlon, in Peckover Street, Little Germany, with a sawn-off shotgun two months ago.

Stenhouse, of Whiteman Street, Barkerend, Bradford, wanted to be sentenced as soon as possible, his barrister Jeremy Hill-Baker told the court.

Mr Hill Baker asked Judge Colin Burn for an indication of the maximum prison sentence he would receive.

When the judge declined, Stenhouse pleaded guilty anyway.

Judge Burn adjourned the case until January 27 for a probation service report to include an assessment of the level of danger he poses to the public.

The judge told Stenhouse, who was produced to the court from custody, he had pleaded guilty to “very serious offences”.

Prosecutor Richard Smith said CCTV footage of the robbery bid would be played in court at the next hearing.

Stenhouse admitted attempting to rob Simon Brayshaw of a quantity of money on October 7 while in possession of a sawn-off shotgun.

He also pleaded guilty to having the weapon with intent to cause unlawful violence on October 9 and possession of a prohibited firearm with a shortened barrel.

Mr Hill Baker said Stenhouse knew they were serious offences and accepted that possession of the sawn-off shotgun was an offence punishable by five years’ imprisonment.

Stenhouse demanded money from Mr Brayshaw but left empty-handed because no money is kept at the Bradlon premises.

The alarm was raised at 9.50am and the police cordoned off the pavement outside the office door.

The West Yorkshire Police helicopter circled above the city centre as forensic teams gathered evidence.

Officers were carried out door-to-door inquiries and viewed CCTV from the area.