A RETIRED Burnley jeweller today spoke of his relief after one of two robbers who subjected him to a terrifying ordeal - which included threats to cut off his toes - failed to get a cut in his 10-year jail term.

John Hullock, 25, of Llanerch Road West, Colwyn Bay, was jailed at Preston Crown Court in May after pleading guilty to robbery.

London's Criminal Appeal Court refused to grant him permission to challenge his sentence, rejecting claims it was too long.

Mr Justice Roderick Evans, sitting with Lord Justice May and Judge Jeremy Roberts, said Hullock played an essential role in the robbery which had been carefully pre-planned. His accomplice has not been caught.

Market trader Keith Langfield, 65, was beaten and tied up in the 20-minute ordeal in his home in March last year and only gave in to villains demanding a safe key when they said he would be dismembered.

Bachelor Mr Langfield said the men, wearing ski-masks and boiler suits, burst into his home in Hallam Road, Nelson, at 4am, beat him and tied him up with masking tape. He suffered a broken jaw, a black and swollen left eye and cuts and bruises. £6,000 worth of jewellery, £600 in cash and other personal items were taken.

Mr Langfield, who gave up his stall on the Wednesday flea market in Burnley, after the ordeal, said: "I am very relieved that this man will stay in jail for the whole length of his sentence. In my view it should have been longer.

"The robbery was an ordeal and both men were hitting me and threatened me with a steam iron and to cut my toes off before I gave in to them.

"I'm glad he has failed in his appeal."

Rejecting Hullock's appeal the judge said: "Mr Langfield was subjected to terrible threats and significant violence was used.

"We are unpersuaded, despite Hullock's mitigation, that the sentence is manifestly excessive."

When arrested and told there was DNA linking him to the crime, Hullock admitted his involvement.

The judge said: "His account was that he owed money to a drug dealer in Liverpool and agreed to participate to clear the debt."

He said he had just followed instructions from the other robber and had not received any of the proceeds.

In the grounds of appeal, it was suggested the sentence was manifestly excessive in light of the mitigation available to Hullock.

He had entered an early plea of guilty, the judge had accepted he was genuinely remorseful, he had abstained from drugs since the incident, had a good work record and for the last few years prior to the offence had led a crime-free life.

He had also decided while awaiting sentence to obtain qualifications to enable him to become a counsellor for drug users.