A DRUGGED-UP man who armed himself with a rounders bat and robbed a youth, is behind bars for 16 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Abdul Rehman, 25, took a £1 coin from his victim and snatched his mobile phone and then went on to threaten police with the bat.

Sentencing Rehman, Judge David Pirie, said the defendant had a history of drug addiction, but wanted to conquer his habit - and for that reason, as short a custodial sentence as was possible was desirable.

Rehman, of Abel Street, Burnley, admitted robbery, affray, and possessing an offensive weapon.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Rehman clearly needed help. The public interest would be best served by the probation service seeing if a place was available at a drug rehabilitation unit.

He said the defendant needed assistance to fortify his good intentions. It was accepted the offences merited custody, but Rehman was entitled to considerable credit for his early admissions.

Although Rehman had a record, including offences of robbery, there was a large gap in his criminal record, and he was not heavily convicted.

Mr Baldwin added if the defendant had to go to custody, a relatively brief sentence would meet the circumstances of the case.

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