A DRUNKEN man who tried to rob a charity volunteer at knifepoint and planned to burgle the bike shop he worked at has been jailed for two years.

Benjamin Grossmann had drunk lager, cider and wine, and tried to smoke a piece of heroin, before arming himself with a seven-inch kitchen knife in Cowley late on November 21 last year.

Kate Mallison, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday that the 25-year-old threatened Tesco staff at Oxford Retail Park with the knife before asking a motorist at the supermarket’s petrol station for a lift. When he refused, Grossman pulled out his knife.

Minutes later, in nearby Garsington Road, Grossmann, of Kestrel Crescent, Blackbird Leys, went up to David Ashworth, a volunteer at a church group dealing with addicts.

Mrs Mallison said Grossmann threatened Mr Ashworth with the knife and demanded money but he ran off. When police arrived, Grossmann was found with a socket set, and said his “intention was to go to his place of work at Cycle King to smash the window and steal a £1,000 bike”.

At an earlier hearing Grossmann admitted charges of attempted robbery, having a bladed article and going equipped for burglary.

Clare Fraser, defending, said her client suffered from Tourette’s syndrome and depression.

She said: “He is remorseful and apologetic for his behaviour, but I cannot emphasise enough the disgrace the family feel about being put in this position.”