A DRUG addict who threatened to stab two men in Worcester city centre has been jailed for 20 months.

Matthew Martindale approached Robert Dutson and warned he would attack him in five seconds if he did not go to a cash machine to fetch money.

But Mr Dutson, aged 58, punched him in the face knocking him down, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Martindale then approached Edward Monk, mistaking him for the first victim, and threatened to stab him with scissors, said Jackie Rogers, prosecuting.

Realising his mistake, the defendant went into Lloyd’s Bar in Crown Passage where he confronted Mr Dutson for a second time.

He was ejected by other customers and the police were alerted to arrest him.

Martindale, 28, of Broad Street, Worcester, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, threatening behaviour and theft of a pushchair from Mothercare.

Judge Richard Rundell said he had embarked “on a shocking evening’s work” and had an appalling criminal record.

In 2007 Martindale was jailed for three years and nine months for robbery after brandishing a knife at a Droitwich shop worker and stealing cash from the till.

Two years ago he threatened to stab staff at a Droitwich guest house.

Miss Rogers said the latest spate of violent crimes all happened on the night of Tuesday, May 3, this year.

Mr Dutson was approached in Broad Street when Martindale began a countdown to his five seconds threat.

The victim chased the defendant after knocking him down but lost him.

Later approached in Lloyd’s Bar, Mr Dutson saw Martindale was armed with scissors before he was thrown out.

He had approached Mr Monk in High Street when looking for the man who had hit him, said Miss Rogers.

Fortunately, Mr Monk persuaded him he had wrongly identified him.

Defence counsel Charles Hamer said Martindale had led a chaotic life due to heroin addiction.

But his parents were supportive and had agreed to let him live back at home once he was released from prison.