Machete-wielding cigarette thief jailed

A methamphetamine addict who threatened Perth service station attendants with a machete while stealing cigarettes and cash during a three-day crime spree has been sentenced to four years in jail.

Phuoc Tam Le, 26, and an accomplice wore gloves and black masks when they stole dozens of packets of cigarettes and more than $1000 from petrol stations in Ballajura, Gosnells and Currambine in June last year.

The Supreme Court of WA heard on Thursday that Le told one terrified attendant "open the till and you won't get hurt", and the pair made off in a stolen car.

Le, who stole another car on the day after the robberies, was on bail for other offences at the time.

"The offending was committed on vulnerable workers," Justice Joseph McGrath said.

"Understandably, the victims expressed fear."

Le, who has been in custody in Albany since the day after the crime spree, said he felt disgraced by his crimes.

He will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.