A ROBBER who held an axe to his victim's throat in a "blood curdling" attack has been jailed indefinitely.

Garry Morris swung the weapon around the living room of the man's home in Hertford Street, Blackburn, and threatened to stick it in' him when he moved to answer his telephone.

He was given an indeterminate jail term for public protection by a judge at Preston Crown Court, which means he will only be released when the parole board considers he no longer poses a threat.

But judge Stuart Baker told the 32-year-old: "I have no confidence at all that when you are released, whenever that may be, that you will be able to control your urges, both to taking drink and or drugs and then becoming angry and violent."

Morris, of Montrose Street, Blackburn will have to serve a minimum term of at least two years and twenty three weeks, before he can be considered for possible parole. He pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and attempted theft.

The burglary victim, Darren Lonsdale, had been at home one afternoon in January when the defendant and another man called.

The second man punched him to the head and mouth.

Both men stepped inside the home and Morris grabbed Mr Lonsdale by the scruff of the neck and marched him to the settee.

Miss Sarah Booth, prosecuting, said the victim was petrified on seeing that Morris had an axe, with a large blade.

The defendant shouted "don't move" and pressed the axe towards his throat. At this time the second man was searching bedrooms upstairs.

The victim's phone rang and Morris ordered him not to answer the call.

He told him "If you move I'll stick it in you", while holding the weapon in his direction.

Morris went on to shout and swear at Mr Lonsdale who genuinely believed he would be hit with the axe, said Miss Booth. He went on to ransack the living room, taking cash, a wallet and mobile phone.

He even took a gold sovereign ring and gold bracelet Mr Lonsdale had been wearing.

Miss Booth added "Morris was losing control, swinging the axe around the room, causing damage to the living room and the kitchen.

"The second male came downstairs with a bag and told Morris to smash up the phone so that the victim could not ring out. The defendant did smash up the landline.

"The victim was traumatised by what happened. He said he had never been so fearful, so scared for his own life."

The court heard that Morris had 15 previous offences on his record.

In June 2005 he was given a two and a half years term for attacking someone with a hammer and striking his father on the head with a joiner's tool.

The judge told Morris in passing sentence "To be confronted by a tall and well built man wielding an axe and threatening must have been a blood curdling experience for the victim, who was considerably younger than you."