A MAN walking his dog had a knife held to his throat by a teenager demanding money, a court heard yesterday.

John Pallett, 19, wanted money for drink, but when his victim, Melvyn Jepson, aged 60, told him he had nothing, he ran off, York Crown Court heard.

Following the mugging in Cliff Street, Whitby, in August, a distressed Mr Jepson flagged down a police van and Pallett was later found wandering in the town, said prosecutor Edward Legard.

Pallett told police he had been drinking and was depressed. He needed some money for drink and, after being refused by a relative, took the knife and decided to mug someone.

He said he was desperate for money, and wished he had never done it.

Anne Munday, for Pallett, said he denied he held the knife to the man's throat, but admitted he was armed. He had an alcohol problem which escalated out of control, and the shock of what he had done made him address it.

Pallett, formerly of Whitby, but now living in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, admitted trying to rob Mr Jepson and was sent to a young offenders' institution for 12 months.