A PRINT worker who said he was forced to take part in a robbery after his 15-year-old brother had been threatened with a knife by a Droitwich Spa man walked free from Worcester Crown Court on Monday.

A jury found Benjamin Norcott, aged 20, of Bowbrook Cottages, Peopleton, near Pershore, not guilty of the robbery. The defence was awarded costs.

On a second charge of possessing cannabis, the jury was unable to reach a verdict and was discharged by Judge Andrew Geddes.

Prosecuting lawyer Guy Spollon said a re-trial would not be sought.

Haydyn Juliff, aged 33, of Trent Close, Droitwich, and Matthew Langford, 21, of Bridge Street, Evesham, admitted the robbery at a hearing before the trial started. They are awaiting sentence.

The prosecution alleged that all three were involved in the raid on a Pershore flat on April 6 when Raphael King, looking after it for a friend, was beaten up.

Norcott claimed he was forced to take part because Juliff had waged a campaign of terror against him and threatened his young brother with a knife.

Police found Norcott with bags of cannabis but he maintained that Juliff had made him carry them.

Lisa Wilson, Norcott's girlfriend, told the court he was in fear of Juliff, who had once gone out with her sister, Emma. The relationship was now over.

Juliff and Langford are awaiting sentence.