A "COWARDLY" drug addict who terrorised a 93-year-old war veteran with a screwdriver in his own home has been jailed for seven years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Kevin Austin, 46, held Tom Whipp prisoner while he ransacked the house in a bid to fund his £420 a week heroin habit.

Plucky Mr Whipp feared for his life and thought he would be stabbed but managed to flee. Austin had been out of prison for only three weeks.

As the defendant, who has targeted the elderly in the past and served several jail terms, was led away from the dock, Mr Whipp's son told how his father's ordeal had robbed him of his life.

Harry Whipp, who lives hear his widower father in the Duke Bar area of Burnley, said the offence had a "shocking" effect on the formerly sprightly man.

He added: "He has not been out of the house since it happened. He is frightened of staying in and frightened of going out.

"My father has lost interest in living altogether. He used to go for walks and drive his car but now he just sits watching television in his pyjamas and won't let anybody in. This has taken his life away from him."

Austin, formerly of Hurtley Street, Burnley, admitted aggravated burglary. He was sentenced to six years jail, plus a year's unexpired portion of his last custodial sentence, with four years' extended licence.

Recorder David Aubrey QC branded Austin a "coward" who had displayed appalling, persistent, criminal behaviour. He went on: "The elderly deserve and are entitled to be protected from you. The only way that can be done is by imposing a substantial prison sentence."

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, said Mr Whipp saw the defendant in his back yard and went to see what he wanted.

Austin offered to take away some scrap metal, pushed past Mr Whipp into his home and forced the victim into a chair.

The defendant went towards the pensioner with what he thought was a knife.

Mr Whipp then took his chance as Austin went into another room and escaped from the house, locking his attacker in.

The pensioner went to his son's home and police were alerted. Austin meanwhile got out of the property by smashing a window.

Mr Williamson said four watches were taken. Austin was spotted by a number of neighbours and passers-by and was filmed on CCTV at a nearby shop. He was arrested two days later and said he had had a screwdriver. He had just been released from a 45-month term when he struck and previous victims had been 87 and 77 years old.

Tim Storrie, defending, said Austin had become institutionalised since his late teens, had no close family and no real ability.

He was one of 10 children raised in Kirkby in Liverpool and his was a life of lost promise and wasted opportunity.

The barrister added Austin was now clean of drugs.