A HEROIN addict robbed £170 from a newsagents by threatening a man with a carving knife.

Paul Ellison held the point of the "fearsome" weapon under his victim's chin before raiding the till of notes and coins, a court heard.

At the time he was on prison licence, having been released months earlier from a six years sentence imposed for sex offences.

Ellison, 39, of Whalley Banks, Blackburn, appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentence after admitting robbery at the shop on Cardwell Place, Blackburn on January 9.

Miss Katie Jones, prosecuting, said the man was working alone in his daughter's shop when Ellison entered, wanting matches.

Ellison put 10p on the counter. But when told he needed another 2p he replied: "No, I haven't got 2p, but I have got this for you." He then held a black-handled knife, with a blade of around ten inches long, at an angle towards the man. He walked behind the till and held the blade under the victim's chin.

He was arrested three days later when the victim recognised him from begging in the town centre.

The defendant told police he was a heroin addict who had been suffering withdrawal symptoms.

His previous convictions included a six-year prison term passed in October 2001 for sex offences. He was released in August 2004 at a time when 940 days remained on his licence.

Judith McCullough, defending, said the robbery was extremely serious, committed against a background of difficulty, addiction, homelessness and mental illness.

Judge Edward Slinger passed a two-and-a-half-year sentence for the robbery. But first Ellison must serve two and a half years for his earlier sentence.