A FRIEND of murdered musician Aaron Buron turned to knifepoint robbery after suffering a “breakdown” following his death.

Jacob Chambers was jailed for 26 months yesterday at Oxford Crown Court after he attacked a pair of teenagers and their girlfriends in a park in Blackbird Leys, Oxford.

In August, Chambers, 23, cycled into the Airfield park and grabbed one of the 16-year-old boys by the throat. The two boys fled and Chambers then turned on their 14-year-old girlfriends, threatening them with a knife and stealing £10.

Father-of-one Chambers, of Mattock Close, Headington, Oxford, last month admitted the robbery. He also admitted attempted robbery, possession of a blade and common assault.

David Povall, prosecuting, said: “Both girls noticed he appeared to have a blade.”

The following day police raided Chambers’s home and found him trying to hide under a blanket in a wardrobe.

The court heard Chambers had other convictions including attempted robbery.

Lucy Tapper, defending, said: “He has had a breakdown in the last few months. He has had to cope with a number of deaths.

“He was spiralling out of control.”

Judge Patrick Eccles said: “There is plainly part of your character which uses violence to manipulate and control.”

Last month Haydan O’Callaghan, of Saunders Road, Cowley, was jailed for life for murdering Mr Buron.