Jacob Nicholas Shield, of Cassey Crescent, was initially charged with armed robbery however the director of public prosecutions withdrew it and replaced it with the less serious charge, demand property with menaces with intent to steal.

According to a summary of the offence that was presented to magistrate David Day in court, Shield walked into the grocery store in Moulder Street about 12.15pm on March 14.

He asked for a 40 pack of cigarettes but did not have enough money to pay for it so the shopkeeper offered him two packets of 20 for a lower price but he only wanted one pack.

Shield then went outside until other employees left and the shopkeeper was on his own.

Shield approached the counter and asked to see the cigarettes but when he was told he couldn't hold them until he paid for them he walked around the side of the counter.

"You can't come in here, I will call the police if you enter," the shopkeeper said at which point Shield said, "I've got a knife."

Shield then pulled the sheathed hunting knife from his pants and held it in front of him, but not towards the victim who did not see the blade.

Shield put the knife back into his pants and the victim said, "I don't want to fight, I will figure something out."

When Shield returned to the correct side of the counter the shopkeeper managed to send a distress alert and the security company called him and asked him if he was alright and he said "no".

The offender asked who was on the phone, "is it the cops" but the victim told him it was a customer wanting something.

Two other customers then entered the store and Shield stood back and waited for them to be served.

When Shield continued to demand the cigarettes the victim said, "let me speak to my boss and see if I can give you credit, I will need your licence".

Shield then handed over his driver's licence and photo identification, which the victim took photos of on his mobile phone.

Shield was still at the grocery store when the police arrived and they found a large hunting knife in its sheath in his waistband.

The court heard Shield had been in jail for seven months and 17 days after he was refused bail on March 14.

Mr Day said the offence required a custodial sentence but it could be served in the community by way of a 12-month intensive correction order with 60 hours of community service.

To ensure community safety Shield will also be subject to electronic monitoring.