A PENSIONER living alone was robbed by two men who broke their way into his flat at night and stole groceries, Teesside Crown Court was told yesterday

The 71-year-old was badly shaken by the attack at his home in Stockton.

In an interview with police, the man named one of the pair as Terence Wetherell, 38, who he said was the least aggressive of the robbers, and who apologised as they left.

The man was woken by banging on his flat door at 1am. He got out of bed, but the door was broken in before he reached it.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said the second attacker pushed the man's arm up behind his back and forced him into his bedroom, where he demanded money.

The man told police: "He reminded me of a little wildcat. If anybody was capable of violence, it was that lad. I want them prosecuted, because what they have done to me, they could do to some other pensioner."

Kate Dodds, in mitigation, said Wetherell had been to the flat before with a friend for drinks. He had been drinking on the night of the robbery and suggested going there for more alcohol.

Wetherell had two previous convictions for robbery and had also been jailed for violent disorder. Judge Peter Armstrong told him: "I am going to bear in mind your lesser role in this matter, but it still has to be a substantial sentence."

Wetherell of Dixon Street, Stockton, was jailed for five years after he pleaded guilty to the robbery last May.