A man who lived alone was threatened with a meat cleaver and robbed after a Droitwich trio walked into his home.

The intruders wanted to retrieve 'a private photograph' taken by Keith Evans, Worcester Crown Court heard.

But the situation quickly got out of hand, a safe was opened and a watch and camera stolen.

Mr Evans also handed over money after being frogmarched to a cashpoint.

And during a scuffle, Paul Stokes brandished the meat cleaver, prosecutor Kate Iliffe told the court.

Stokes, aged 21, of Trent Close, Christopher Deeming, also 21, of Farmers Piece, and 17-year-old Alan Bonehill, of Meadow Road, pleaded guilty to robbery.

Recorder Abbas Mithani said the victim had been left "absolutely petrified" by the "cowardly and despicable" intrusion, suffering psychological damage.

He jailed Stokes and Deeming for three years each and gave Bonehill two years' detention in a young offenders' institution.

Mr Evans, who lived on the Westlands estate in Droitwich Spa, got to know Bonehill who used to visit his home and ask for money, said Miss Iliffe.

The trio descended on him at the end of March last year in a bid to get back the photograph.

He let them in at around 10pm, but threats were made and property stolen, including his bicycle.

During a fight, Mr Evans defended himself and headbutted Deeming. The trio were arrested two months later.

Bonehill had three previous convictions for robbery and one for possession of an imitation firearm.

Stokes had threatening behaviour on his record and Deeming a conviction for assault on police.

Simon Phillips, for Bonehill, said he was a vulnerable and impressionable youth who had "stupidly" tried to sort out a problem. Tim Sapwell, for Stokes, said although he picked up the cleaver, it was under a sofa cushion and he had asked Mr Evans if he had intended using it.

Graeme Simpson, for Deeming, said the motive for going to the house had not been burglary or robbery.