A MAN who snatched a disabled pensioner's £1,000 jewellery has been jailed -- and warned next time he will be put behind bars for life.

Joseph Hartley, 26, attacked a 73-year-old who he had befriended in Burnley town centre.

Hartley was jailed for three years and four months. But Judge Beverley Lunt told him if he struck again he would get a life sentence.

Hartley, of Branch Road, Burnley, admitted robbery.

David Macro, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court the victim, who used a motability scooter, was in the town centre when the defendant started talking to him.

Hartley told the pensioner he worked for the gas board and he would call at his home later for a drink. The pensioner told the defendant where he lived.

Later, Hartley visited the victim at his sheltered accommodation home He sat down and chatted then suddenly jumped up and snatched the gold jewellery and bracelet the victim was wearing and ran off. DNA evidence was found on the cup he had drunk from and when he was quizzed by police, Hartley admitted robbery. He had a criminal record including an offence of wounding.

Tim Storrie, for Hartley, said the defendant had a history of anguish and tragedy. He told the court: "It might be a proper assessment of Joseph Hartley to observe you wouldn't treat a dog the way he was treated by his parents. He was frightened ever to go home."

The defendant had significant psychological deficits, had abused alcohol and drugs and suffered post traumatic stress disorder -- most of which were attributable to the way he was brought up.

Mr Storrie said Hartley had no other way of coping with the world, other than abusing drugs and drink. He had been a consistent failure in work, relationships and any kind of abstinence. The barrister continued: "He flees his demons daily, even in the confines of his own mind."