TWO robbers who put a chef through an "horrific ordeal" have been jailed for a total of at least seven years.

Preston Crown Court was told the chef had agreed to pay a woman £25 for sex and turned up at a house in Leach Street, Blackburn.

But David Thompson, 31, of Olive Lane, Darwen, and Ian Lupton, 33, of Larbreck Gardens, Larbreck Hall caravan park, Great Eccleston, were there and brandished knives at him.

The court heard that Lupton used the woman's hand to scratch the chef and he was told she could say she had been raped because of the presence of his DNA.

The chef told them: "If it's money you want, I can get you money" and was driven to a cash point where he withdrew £70 for them.

A watch was also taken from him which was of sentimental value, plus two folders of recipes.

He was told if they meant that much to him, he was to get £600 for their return.

But he later told police of his ordeal and both were arrested.

Thompson was jailed for four years. Lupton was told he will stay in prison until he no longer poses a risk to the public, although the judge said he could be first considered for parole in three years.

He was on licence from prison at the time, having been sentenced to eight years in May 2000 for a post office robbery in which the victim was struck with a machete.

Judge Edward Slinger said the duo put the victim through an horrific ordeal which left him absolutely terrified.

The judge described Lupton as the prime mover saying he must be regarded as a danger to the public.

Mr Steven Wild, prosecuting, told the court the offence took place on July 18 after the chef met the woman in the Bank Top area.

Mr Wild said the chef was also forced to inhale some substance on a drinks can which made his memory fuzzy and the defendants laugh.

He was told they had an address from his car log book and they could visit him at any time.