A ROBBER who took part in a robbery on a pizza delivery man has been jailed for five years.

The vulnerable victim was targeted after calling at a customer's home in Montague Close, Bank Top, Blackburn.

He was punched and kicked and his wallet stolen.

At Preston Crown Court Judge Michael Byrne told Daryl Thorp: "This was a nasty, serious and frightening incident to a vulnerable member of the community who was doing no more than carrying out his job."

The 26-year-old of Stonyhurst Road, Blackburn, had denied the charge but was convicted after trial.

On Friday, his accomplice Michael Holden, 24, of no fixed address, admitted his part in the robbery and was jailed for three years.

The offence took place on the evening of August 9 last year.

The victim had set off around 10pm to deliver a pizza to a woman in flats in Montague Close.

After calling at the flat he was making his way back to his car when he heard footsteps behind and was grabbed around the neck.

He told the court he was punched two to three times to the face and heard a voice say "Give us your money".

The victim was pulled to the floor and punched and kicked to the face and stomach.

His pockets were searched and a wallet containing £80 cash and some bank cards taken.

The violence then stopped and he was able to run to a nearby telephone box and call police.

Thorp had previous convictions including a robbery sentence from 2002. He had a total of 59 offences on his record.

His barrister, Miss Lisa Roberts, said he had a poor record and knew that he would receive a considerable custodial sentence.