TWO men who robbed a factory worker of £40 and cigarettes in the street are facing custodial sentences.

Victim Adrian Johnstone was making his way home from a nightclub when he was held up at knifepoint in Hereford.

A jury at Worcester Crown Court convicted 18-year-old Ryan Hendry, of Chester Close, Hereford, of robbery.

His co-defendant, who gave evidence for the prosecution after changing his plea to guilty, was James O'Connor, aged 20, of Golden Post, Hereford.

Kitchen knife

Judge Andrew Geddes remanded Hendry - who pleaded guilty to another robbery before the trial began - in custody. O'Connor was granted bail.

The jury heard how Mr Johnstone was warned by Hendry he would be stabbed if he grassed to police after being confronted on December 28, 2002.

Henry was armed with a kitchen knife to terrify the victim. He escaped temporarily but was caught and dragged on to a pavement where he handed over the cash.

Mr Johnstone managed to dial 999 on his mobile phone and the defendants were quickly arrested.

The robbers had been friends for years but during a court appearance before magistrates Hendry attacked O'Connor in the dock and had to be restrained by five security staff, said prosecutor Pardeep Tiwana.

The judge allowed O'Connor to give evidence from behind a screen because he was scared of Hendry and suffering from mental health problems.