A BEGGAR robbed two schoolboys in Worcester city centre after asking them whether they wanted to buy drugs.

The 15-year-olds, who were in uniform, had already given Ian Kendrick 90p, but he followed them and blocked their escape route, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He threatened to "knock seven bells out of them" before they handed over a total of £9, prosecutor Graeme Simpson told the court.

But an alert security camera operator spotted the crime and alerted police, who detained the defendant and later traced his victims.

Kendrick, aged 23, of Hollymount Road, Tolladine, Worcester, admitted two robberies. He was jailed for three years.

Terrified

Judge Ian Morris said he had terrified the boys by threats of serious violence and the courts had to protect children from daylight street offences.

He added that it was a mean crime after the victims had offered him charity.

Kendrick confessed he needed up to £150 day to fund his heroin addiction. He came across the teenagers as he was begging in New Street on Friday, May 10 this year.

Mr Simpson said he asked them if they wanted drugs but they replied that they were not interested.

He then followed them down some steps and demanded they hand over their wallets. One boy gave him £4 in coins and the other a £5 note.

Kendrick had a previous conviction for battering his girlfriend when he grabbed her around the throat and threatened her with a knife, said Mr Simpson. He also had convictions for theft, handling and animal cruelty.

David Jones, defending, said Kendrick had been taking heroin for four years and the drug had led him into crime.

He had lost his job and his life had slid downhill. But since being in custody on remand, he had become determined to stay off drugs.

"Drugs are no excuse for what he did but with heroin a sense of morality goes out of the window. He used no weapon but it is accepted that he still brought terror and fear," Mr Jones added.