A MAN who robbed, blackmailed and stole from a "terrified" pensioner has been jailed for six years.

Homeless crack addict David James targeted 69-year-old Barry Britton for two weeks in July last year and forced him to withdraw almost £800 in cash - and buy him a mobile phone.

He also stole the retired North Oxford librarian's chequebook and cash card from his flat and robbed him of money.

Oxford Crown Court heard how he had addressed Mr Britton as "Pops" when forcing him to withdraw the cash and implied to bank staff the pensioner was his grandad and was making him a financial gift.

The 36-year-old, of no fixed abode, told Mr Britton he would "stab him in the face" if he went to the police.

James denied three counts of blackmail, two of robbery and five of theft - but a jury at Oxford Crown Court took less than two hours to convict him of all ten.

Mr Britton said he was surprised that James had been handed a six-year sentence.

He said: "I am surprised with prisons being so full - I didn't expect this chap to get six years."

But after the sentence, police said they would continue to come down hard on those who preyed on the elderly and vulnerable.

Pc Jo-Anne Holland, the officer in charge of the case, said detectives were pleased with the sentence passed.

She added: "The victim is a vulnerable and elderly gentleman who was defenceless against James.

"The sentence received sends out a strong message that this sort of behaviour against vulnerable members of our community will not be tolerated."

During the half-hour sentencing the court also heard that James had admitted robbing student Patrick Timmis of his mobile phone, cash card and pin number in a similar attack in October.

In that incident he frogmarched Mr Timmis around Oxford city centre, made him withdraw money and punched him in the face.

He even escorted him to hospital for treatment.

Tony McGeorge, defending James, said despite a list of convictions dating from when he was just 14, for offences including theft, assault and criminal damage, there had been several periods where he had avoided trouble and held down a job.

He said James had struggled with drink and drug addictions but was now making efforts to address them.

Sentencing James, Judge Peter Fingret said: "Your offences against Barry Britton took place over a period of several days and involved much threatening and intimidating behaviour, which clearly terrified him."