Disabled robber gets five years

A one-legged wheelchair user who tried to rob two men has been jailed for five years.

Mark Milverton threatened to stab the men if they did not hand over cash in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset last March.

Bristol Crown Court heard the 27-year- old, of no fixed address, had been released from prison weeks earlier.

Milverton denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury of attempted robbery. The judge said: "Only a custodial sentence is appropriate."

I will cut you or I will stab you Mark Milverton

The court heard how Milverton demanded 20p from shopper Steven Jauncey outside a Tesco store in the town.

When Mr Jauncey said he had no money Milverton replied: "Don't make me out to be an idiot or I'll stab you with this knife."

The shopper ran off and Milverton then approached Jordan Walker who was using a cash machine. The court heard how again he demanded 20p and threatened to stab the shopper.

Rupert Lowe for the prosecution said: "During that time Milverton asked him 'Do you think I won't do it? I will cut you or I will stab you'."

The court had earlier heard how Milverton had his right leg amputated in 2003 after years of heroin abuse.

Drug addiction

James Cranfield, defending, said the 27-year-old was finally beginning to address his drug addiction which had fuelled his criminal behaviour.

In March 2002 he was jailed for four years for robbery, and in April 2005, while still on licence, he was jailed for 30 months after threatening passers-by unless they gave him cash.

Court recorder Eric Salmonsen told Milverton he did not think he posed a significant risk of causing serious harm in the future, but that the "seriousness of these offences means that only a custodial sentence can be appropriate."

"Taking into account your previous convictions the appropriate sentence is one of five years in prison," he said.