A MASKED robber high on Valium threatened a pensioner at knifepoint in his own home, a court was told.

Daryl Smeatham later claimed to have no memory of the dawn robbery at the house in Horden, on June 5.

But, Durham Crown Court heard that a brooch and empty handbag, belonging to the victim’s hospitalised wife, was found later that day by police in a nearby property being used by Smeatham, while his finger print was recovered from a magazine at the scene of the crime.

The 34-year-old defendant, of Seventh Street, Horden, who has a long record for burglary and carrying weapons, admitted charges of robbery and possessing a bladed article at an earlier hearing.

Having read reports on Smeatham by the Probation Service and a psychiatrist, a Recorder said he considers the defendant poses a danger of causing further significant harm to the public.

The Recorder, John Thackray, therefore, passed a determinate prison sentence of eight years, with an extended four-year licence period.

It means Smeatham must serve at least two-thirds of the eight years before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.

The court was told the 66-year-old victim had just awoken and was putting the kettle on when a stranger knocked at the kitchen window asking for a drink of water, claiming to be unwell.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said as soon as the obliging pensioner opened the door, the caller donned a makeshift balaclava-style mask, and thrust a craft knife towards him, demanding, “all” of his money.

Despite telling him he had no money as his wife was in hospital and he had not been to an atm, Smeatham repeated his threats and went from room to room opening drawers and looking for money.

He did accede to the pensioner’s request not to enter the bedroom of his sleeping disabled son, before leaving with a token £7.50, the hand-bag of the victim’s wife, and items of her jewellery, later recovered by police.

Neil Bennett, mitigating, said Smeatham, who had an unhappy childhood, has been blighted by drug-taking since his youth, leading to knock-on commission of crime.

He had taken a heavy dose of sleeping pills prior to the offence, causing his lack of memory of the incident.

Jailing him, Recorder Thackray said Smeatham has “an appalling record”, but had spurned “chances” offered by way of previous suspended sentences.