The Mobil service station on Pioneer Highway, Palmerston North, was robbed in June by a man armed with a box cutter. He got away with nothing.

A man has admitted robbing a Palmerston North service station, but will keep his name secret for at least a week.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty in the Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday to the aggravated robbery of Mobil Pioneer Highway on June 3.

Although a summary of facts was not available, police previously said the man went into the petrol station that night and demanded money from the attendant.

The attendant initially handed over the cash – $270, according to court documents – but snatched it back before the man ran away.

READ MORE: One in custody after failed robbery of Mobil service station

Court documents also say the man was armed with a box cutter.

Judge Gerard Lynch convicted the man, gave him his first strike warning for violent offending, and kept him in custody until August.

He kept the man's interim name suppression in place until 5pm on July 6, at which time it would lapse unless a further suppression application was made.