A MAN with a history of committing robberies has been jailed for life after admitting carrying out a knifepoint mugging.

Callum Brimson, 21, received the sentence of imprisonment for public protection with a two-year tariff for the attack in October last year.

And his accomplice, 20-year-old Callum Hamilton, was jailed for three years for his part in the attack.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said Matthew Charles had gone out with friends Russell Dunn and Richard Bolt to have a drink in Old Town for a birthday celebration.

He said that none of them had been drinking heavily and were walking home past the Co-op in Groundwell Road at about 11pm when they saw two men by a telephone kiosk.

One asked the three if they had a cigarette and then 20p for the phone and realising the pair were behaving strangely the three started walking more quickly.

As they tried to get away Mr Charles and Mr Dunn were struck on the back of the legs with a wheel brace being brandished by Hamilton.

Mr Meeke said: "Mr Brimson was armed with a knife and Mr Hamilton with the wheel brace. Mr Brimson said to add to the intimidation I can't control him, he's a nutter'."

They demanded the friends hand over banknotes and their mobile phones but as Mr Charles got out his wallet, which had sterling and euros in it, one of them snatched it.

The attackers then left the scene and the three called the police.

As they were going to the police station they spotted the attackers who were arrested.

Both told police that they had found the money, including the euros, but later admitted the offence.

Brimson, of Kingswood Avenue, and Hamilton, of Darnley Close, pleaded guilty to robbery.

The court heard while Hamilton had no previous convictions Brimson had a long list including a number of robberies and attempted robberies.

Jonathan Simpson, for Brimson, said his client's father left home when he was four years old and then died a few years later leaving him without a positive male role model.

He then suffered behavioural and educational problems as well as ADHD and so acts recklessly and impulsively.

Mr Simpson said that his client did not take the lead role in the robbery and was using the knife to try and stop his co-defendant continue with the offence.

Mark Ashley, for Hamilton, said his client had no previous convictions and was influenced by Brimson.

He said he had been drinking on the night of the offence and was not the ringleader of what took place.

Passing sentence Judge Sean Overend said: "The two of you decided to get some money off whoever you could, whoever had the misfortune to come past you."

Passing the indeterminate term he told Brimson: "There is a considerable risk to the public of you committing other offences."