AN armed robber who threatened an elderly man and his dog with a craft knife was jailed for six years yesterday.

David Potter, 23, of Duke Street, Millfield, Sunderland, was found guilty of robbery by a jury at Durham Crown Court in June, and was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard how Potter had threatened his victim with the craft knife before making off with cash and a bike.

When the elderly man, who had previously been befriended by Potter, was reluctant to give up his possessions, Potter threatened to kill his pet dog, the court was told.

Roger Moore, prosecuting, said that the robbery took place over two visits in the early evening.

He said: "During the first visit, the defendant befriended his victim and they shared a tin of beer.

"He offered to install a wall safe and left a note with a false name and telephone number. Detectives were later able to match the handwriting to that of this defendant."

He said Potter then returned minutes later to use the toilet before he threatened his victim.

Potter appeared in the dock in handcuffs after the court was told he had in the past become so violent in court that he had broken the wrist of a dock officer and had been convicted of common assault.

Julian Smith, for Potter, said the incident was out of character, even though he had been jailed on seven occasions previously.

He said his client had only just started to have a settled life after a "very unhappy background" and there was concern over his mental state.

Judge John Walford sentenced Potter to six years and said it was a "particularly nasty" robbery upon a "vulnerable man who lived alone".

He also commended the officers in the case, Acting Detective Sergeant Paul Devlin and Detective Constable Scott Rennison.