Knifeman given five-year jail sentence after £15 robbery

Stewart Hill had been loaned cash by his friend Tony Sheils before and had paid it back, a judge heard.

But when 30-year-old Hill asked to borrow a further £10 on July 25 the request was turned down, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The two men lived in rooms at the same address but Mr Sheils, who had recently undergone surgery, delivered the refusal without bothering to open his door, explained Mr Philip Beardwell, prosecuting.

Hill returned later but this time said he was returning a charger and the ruse worked with him bursting past his friend armed with a large kitchen knife as soon as the door was opened.

Mr Sheils was alarmed by the sight of a man waving the weapon while appearing to be high on drugs and gave £10 to Hill who received a further fiver after demanding more money, continued Mr Beardwell.

The victim left his room to ring the police and was then confronted by the defendant who declared: "I am going back to prison anyway so I might as well kick your door in and take your phone" - which he did before walking away.

The incident lasted 30 minutes.

Mr Will Harrington, defending Hill, said: "He is ashamed of his behaviour. The two men were friends.

"He had borrowed money and repaid it in the past but he got himself into a dreadful pickle because of his drug use."

The defendant had previous convictions for robbery and attempted robbery and lived in Slade Road, Erdington.

He was arrested on July 28, pleaded guilty and was jailed for 63 months for the robbery with a concurrent nine-month sentence for stealing the mobile which is being returned.

Hill's mother has repaid the £15.