A man who burgled a vulnerable victim he had befriended has been jailed for nine years.

Kieron Toplass, 26, forced his way into the house of his victim and threatened him with a claw hammer, screwdriver and a knife.

He held the knife in front of his victim for around five minutes, before stealing a mobile phone and cash.

Toplass verbally threatened  the man, in his fifties, throughout the ordeal before leaving.

The victim was not physically injured but was left shocked and distressed after the incident in Southey Road, Christchurch, in September 2014.

Detective Constable Steven Davis of Bournemouth CID, said: “Toplass was responsible for a vicious and threatening attack in the house of his vulnerable victim, who he had previously befriended.

“Dorset Police will robustly investigate and prosecute violent individuals who target their victims in this way and I am satisfied that Toplass has been handed a lengthy jail term.”

Toplass, of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was admitted aggravated burglary and was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court last month.