Malcolm Trimble walked into the shop in Durham in May armed with a hidden knife – and threatened a worker in an attempt to steal a four-pack of lager.

Unfortunately for the hapless Trimble, the quick-witted shopkeeper ran outside and pressed a button to lower the shop’s shutters to trap the robber inside.

Trimble, 30, tried brute force to open the shutters, but was unable.

He then attempted an Indiana Jones-style escape, sliding under the shutters – but was too slow, and his head was stuck inside the shop while his torso and legs were outside.

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Surrendering to his fate, Trimble is seen on the shop’s CCTV reaching behind him for the four-pack of beer and cracking one open.

In the meantime, the shopkeeper called the police. Officers arrived, released the shutters and arrested Trimble.

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Trimble pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of a knife and was jailed for three years and four months at Durham Crown Court this week.

Detective sergeant Paul Mawson of Durham Constabulary said: “It wasn’t the most difficult arrest we have ever made.

“To be honest, it was an open and shut case,” he joked.