A WOULD-BE mugger who terrorised his teenage victim and threatened to kill him is behind bars.

Burnley Crown Court heard drunken father-to-be Ryan Joseph, 26, left Damien Bell in tears and in shock after pouncing in the early hours as the 19-year-old walked home from a club.

Joseph was after a mobile telephone, but Mr Bell did not have one and he ran off after the victim struggled with him, grabbed hold of a signpost and yelled for help.

The defendant had never been in trouble, but he was jailed for 18 months.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Byrne told the defendant street crime would not be tolerated by the courts and culprits did not realise the effects of their behaviour on their victims.

He said the confrontation was persistent and sustained and went on: "The citizens of our communities are entitled to look to the courts to keep the streets and public places safe so that people can go about their lawful business without fear of being attacked in this way."

Joseph, of Princess Street, Accrington, admitted attempted robbery, last October.

Martin Hackett, prose-cuting, told the court Mr Bell was walking along Burnley Road when the defendant came from a side street and went towards him.

Mr Bell stepped into the road to avoid him but Joseph got hold of him and threatened to kill him if he did not hand over his telephone.

Mr Bell repeatedly told the defendant he did not have a phone but Joseph patted his pockets looking for one. Joseph dragged Mr Bell towards a shop, continued patting his pockets and was also fumbling in his own jacket pocket, looking for something.

The victim managed to grab hold of a nearby sign and started shouting, at which point the defendant let go of him and ran off down Sydney Street.

Mr Hackett said Mr Bell rang police and described Joseph, who was arrested on October 19.

He said the victim was left shocked and started to cry and later told officers he had been very scared.

The defendant was picked out on a video identity parade and when questioned said he could not remember what happened as he had been very drunk. Joseph had spent 125 days on remand.

Keith Harrison, for Joseph, told the court Joseph's guilty plea had spared the victim having to relive his upsetting ordeal. He had not used a weapon.

The defendant had no previous convictions but had made a "substantial jump into the criminal forum". The time he had spent in custody had an effect on him.

Mr Harrison said Joseph's relationship with his partner had broken down, but she was expecting their child and they were in contact again. The longer the sentence the greater the damage would be to the relationship but, he said, it may be the defendant's personal relationship had to come after the public interest.

The barrister added Joseph had pleaded guilty but he accepted the offence crossed the custody threshold.