A MAN who held up a petrol station at knifepoint has been given an extended sentence.

Martin Madigan lunged at a cashier at the BP Garage on Long Lane, Walton with a knife after demanding cigarettes.

Four days later, on January 18, he was arrested after trying to steal a taxi as part of a bet.

Liverpool Crown Court heard cabbie Paul Yuen was stopped by Madigan standing in the middle of the street.

The 23-year-old swung a piece of chain at the taxi, smashing a rear window.

Mike Stephenson, prosecuting, told how minutes later, Madigan told another cabbie he had a gun and ordered him out the taxi.

When he tried to drive off, Madigan swung the metal chain at him, narrowly missing his head.

The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Henry Globe, QC, jailed Madigan for four years.

Madigan, of Middleway, Croxteth, was on a suspended sentence at the time after throwing a kettle full of hot water at his girlfriend, Kelly Wood, during an argument.

Teresa Loftus, defending, said Madigan, who admitted two counts of attempted robbery and possessing an offensive weapon, had struggled with alcohol and drug problems after being disowned by his family.