they were scared for their safety.
Adeel Aslam, aged 35, of Huddersfield, was jailed for one year and eight months for attempted robbery. The ex-pharmacist tried to rob a shopkeeper in a fish and chip shop.
He attempted the robbery in a bid to get money to buy drugs.
Leeds Crown Court heard he took an “extremely” large knife into Nook Fishery and threatening a member of staff.
The incident at the shop on New Hey Road in Salendine Nook happened during the day on May 19, 2020.
Although Aslam entered the shop and brandished the knife, the shopkeeper walked away and he left the shop empty-handed.
However, when a female officer found Aslam and attempted to arrest him, the father-of-one resisted arrest and assaulted her.
He picked her up and threw her to the ground, causing injury.
Joanne Shepherd, prosecuting, said two members of staff quit after the incident because they were scared for their safety.
Aslam pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place and assaulting an emergency worker.
He has one previous conviction for an unrelated matter.
It was heard that Aslam was unable to cope after he was promoted to manager at the pharmacy where he worked. He soon became addicted to prescription and illegal drugs.
In mitigation, Gerald Hendron said his client had been prescribed diazepam for anxiety but was also using cocaine.
He went on to say that Aslam stopped working in March 2019 and his wife later left the family home with their child.
The court heard that Aslam’s family paid for him to go to a rehabilitation centre, however, he relapsed.
Mr Hendron said: “It was two months into lockdown when this offence took place. He was living within a busy household.
“The anxiety got worse, he used more drugs and had used the last of his savings from his previous occupation.
“This offence took place days after his wife told him they were divorced through an Islamic divorce.”
Mr Hendron said that the ex-pharmacist is ashamed of himself for assaulting the police officer.
Speaking about the attempted robbery, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said: “It cannot be overstated how terrifying such an incident would be.
“Simply producing the knife is enough to instill great fear.”
Aslam’s twin brother attended the sentencing hearing. The ex-pharmacist was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison.
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