A "DANGEROUS" killer has been given an extended jail term after two knifepoint robberies just months after he was released from prison.

Danny Martin who killed a man by setting fire to his Worcester flat was jailed for two robberies at Hereford Crown Court yesterday.

The 30-year-old from Worcester and co-defendant Tommy Jauncey, 22 of St George's Lane, Worcester are now behind bars.

Both men denied the robberies but were convicted after trial by jury on September 17 last year. Through much of the court hearing Martin had his head in his hands and members of his family could be seen crying in the public gallery.

Martin was jailed for 10 years for manslaughter after he set fire to a bin which spread to the flat of convicted sex offender Andrew Heath. Mr Heath died in his flat in Chedworth Close, Warndon, on December 14, 2011.

The two robberies took place just two days apart and only four months after Martin was released on a five year licence period on October 10, 2017.

The first robbery in an alleyway near Brookthorpe Close on February 19 last year, was committed against 19-year-old pizza delivery man Daniel McLaren who had his wallet, keys, a pizza delivery pouch and a mobile phone stolen. The second was against a taxi driver, Mohammed Jehengir in Chedworth Close on February 21 last year. Martin stole cash, a mobile phone and damaged a CCTV camera, threatening the driver with a screwdriver, while Jauncey hid in a bush.

Both men were wearing ski masks and brandished knives, luring their victims by making 'bogus' calls.

John Brotherton, prosecuting, said Martin was on licence at the time and Jauncey was subject to a suspended sentence for driving offences.

Judith Kenney, for Martin, said: "At the end of the day if you throw away the key for this young man and give him no form of hope you have no hope of rehabilitating him."

Judge Nicolas Cartwright said during the first burglary Jauncey had held a knife to the pizza delivery rider's throat and told him: "You don't want to get stabbed do you?"

During the second robbery Martin pulled wires out of the taxi's CCTV cameras so there were no photographs of him while Jauncey helped dispose of the driver's mobile phone.

The judge said the aggravating features were significant planning, the use of masks, the fact that both robberies took place at night and that they were working together as a team.

He jailed Jauncey for six years. He refused to go down into the cells and remained in the dock holding Martin's hand.

The court heard that Martin had 77 previous offences including manslaughter, dishonesty offences, burglary and affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm while in custody. Jauncey had 29 offences on his record including an attempted robbery when he was just 11 years old and the judge said this represented an escalation in his offending.

Judge Cartwright said an extended sentence was appropriate but not a life sentence.

He told Martin his use of cannabis on a daily basis including inside prison had had a detrimental effect on his mental health which included anti-social personality disorder.

He said: "I find you are dangerous within the legal definition. I have come to the firm conclusion that a commensurate sentence would not protect the public for a sufficient length of time from the risk that you pose and will continue to pose in the future."

Judge Cartwright jailed Martin for seven and a half years with an extended licence period of five years (a 12 and a half year sentence).

This means Martin will be considered for release by the parole board only after he has served five years of his sentence.

As he was led down into the cells Jauncey shouted: "You have got the wrong guy. Danny didn't rob the taxi driver."

Someone else shouted from the public gallery: "I love you Danny boy."

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Grant Lawrence from West Mercia Police, said: "Both men showed complete disregard for the law in these offences, and I hope this result demonstrates we will not tolerate violent crime within our communities.

"We welcome today's result and hope it will enable the victims to feel some sense of closure after their ordeals."

Family and friends of Martin said: "He has a really big heart. He has been failed by the justice system and mental health services. He's probably one of the nicest people you could meet."