A MUGGER who targeted a vulnerable man in a Burnley back street has been jailed for nearly four years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how drug addict Martin Rickwood, 25, violently attacked alcoholic Ian Hardy last July before snatching cash from his pocket.

The victim's blood was later found on a £10 note in his pocket but he still did not own up, the court was told.

Sentencing Rickwood, Recorder Karen Brody said he could easily have taken the money after targeting the victim, but carried on attacking him.

She added: "It must have been terrifying for him."

Rickwood, of Kinross Street, Burnley, admitted robbery and had also been committed for sentence by the magistrate court after pleading guilty to theft of an MP3 player from Netto. He was jailed for three years and 35 weeks.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Rickwood confronted Mr Hardy at the rear of Herbert Street, shouting :"I want your money".

A woman was with Rickwood pushing a pram and told him to leave Mr Hardy alone, but the defendant approached him, punched him in the nose and knocked him to the ground.

The victim was struck several more times whilst on the ground and also kicked. Mr Hardy put his arm up to deflect the blows.

Rickwood grabbed £50 from Mr Hardy's pocket and then fled. But a passerby alerted police and he was arrested nearby.

Miss Statham said Rickwood had £32 on him and a £10 note had a small amount of blood on it.

Forensic evidence later showed it was almost certainly Mr Hardy's blood on the note but Rickwood would still not confess to the robbery.

Miss Statham said at the time Rickwood was in breach of a 48 week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, imposed last October for burglary. He had 46 previous convictions.

Gareth Jones, defending, said Rickwoo-d expressed remorse and was sorry for what he had done.

The defendant had no recollection of the robbery and accepted his behaviour was fuelled by drink and drugs, he added.

He said Rickwood had no previous convictions for robbery and the offence seemed to be an escalation in his offending behaviour.