A HEROIN addict from Bridgwater who took just six seconds to burgle a Taunton pub has been jailed for more than three years.

Taunton Crown Court heard this week how Ashley Milton, aged 27, had carried out an opportunistic raid on the O'Bridge pub in Priorswood Road last August, fleeing with a handful of banknotes.

The Edinburgh Road resident told jurors he had wandered into the pub shortly before midnight, and after spotting that there was no-one behind the bar he went through a staff door marked "private" and spotted the cash on a desk.

Junkie Milton testified: "At that point, I had to think about the next day, and the day after that with my drug addiction, and would I be able to take the money and run off?

"I decided to take the money and went outside and moved my car nearer the door. I intended to push the office door, grab the money and get away."

Before re-entering the pub, Milton put on a baseball cap and pulled his top up to disguise his face, but denied witness claims that he was armed with a handgun - a denial which jurors accepted.

CCTV footage showed it took Milton just six seconds to enter the pub, grab the money and escape.

He admitted that people were screaming "stop him" after he grabbed the cash and dashed back outside.

Police cars followed him as he drove back to Bridgwater, and Milton refused to stop, telling the court he "knew" he would go to prison.

When he crashed the car, he fled on foot, and was not arrested until a week later.

Rebecca Bradberry, prosecuting, told the court the pub's assistant manager had been "adamant" Milton had a gun and was left traumatised by the incident.

However, Alan Large, defending, insisted that while Milton had admitted taking the cash, he had not been armed.

Mr Large added: "(The assistant manager" was frightened and upset, but I say she got it wrong."

Milton pleaded guilty to burglary and to dangerous driving, for which he was jailed for 36 months and banned from driving. He was cleared of robbery and possessing a firearm with intent.