A TEENAGER who robbed his vulnerable and disabled stepfather has been jailed.

Craig Mainland broke into 66-year-old Keith Webb’s house in Stowford Road, Barton, Oxford, “using a tree branch” before forcing him to the ground and taking £30 in cash from his back pocket.

The incident in March was the third time in two years that 19-year-old Mainland, of no fixed address, had robbed Mr Webb, who has lost the ability to speak.

The victim was described as frail at Oxford Crown Court on Monday.

Matthew Walsh, prosecuting, said: “The victim is an elderly and vulnerable old man.

“He is 66 but his vulnerability stems from the fact he’s lost his speech – it’s unclear how – and is somewhat frail.

“At 8.30pm on March 25, Mr Webb was fatigued and lying on his bed. He opened his eyes to see the defendant get into his flat and into his room.

“He had simply used a tree branch to flick the catch.”

Having asked for money, Mainland took money from Mr Webb’s back pocket and ripped his trousers before pushing him to the floor, Mr Walsh said.

“A degree of grappling and so on,” took place, he added.

Mr Webb was left with cuts to both hands and a gash to his left shin.

Mainland, who had earlier admitted a charge of robbery, has 10 previous convictions for 19 offences.

In February 2008, Mainland followed Mr Webb along the street before pulling him to the floor, jumping on him and taking his keys. The following month he assaulted Mr Webb in his flat and stole £200 from him.

Graham Bennett, defending, said Mainland’s father had died in 2000 and his mother died when he was 15, leaving him homeless and leading to him using drugs.

He said of the robbery: “The intention was to seek a meal or to ask to borrow money.

It certainly wasn’t with the intention to frighten.”

Sentencing Mainland to three years’ youth custody, Judge Patrick Eccles told him: “The victim was an elderly, disabled gentleman unable to speak, unable to call out for help.

“He was resting on his bed and was taken completely unawares by you.”