A THUG who robbed a man at knifepoint at a friend’s home has been jailed.

Zack Kelly held a steak knife to victim Declan Moorcroft’s throat and demanded he empty his pockets into a rucksack.

Sentencing 20-year-old Kelly to two years and eight months in a young offender institution, Judge Richard Gioserano told him: “I accept you have had difficulties in your life, but there comes a time when difficulties you’ve had in your life are not an excuse for taking it out on other people.”

Andrew Mackintosh, prosecuting, told how Mr Moorcroft’s friend, Abbie Robinson, invited him to her house in Alston Street, Great Lever, on March 11 for drinks.

When he arrived, there were two other men, one of whom was Kelly.

Mr Mackintosh told how, during the evening, Abbie took Mr Moorcroft’s phone and went outside with it.

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“She came back in saying she had dropped it,” he added.

The court heard how Kelly then threatened his victim.

“He got up and approached him, telling him to get into the kitchen,” said Mr Mackintosh.

Mr Moorcroft felt something sharp on his neck.

“He remained calm, turned around and saw the defendant holding a knife,” said Mr Mackintosh.

“He put the blade to Mr Moorcroft’s neck and told him to walk into the kitchen.”

Mr Moorcroft had a rucksack with him and Kelly ordered him to empty his pockets, which contained only an e-cigarette and its liquid, into the bag.

“The defendant then told Mr Moorcroft to get out,” said Mr Macintosh.

The victim, who was uninjured, reported the crime to police the next day and the stolen items were found at Kelly’s home.

Kelly, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to robbery and the court heard how he has 23 previous convictions, mostly for theft and burglary.

Martin Pizzey, defending, told the court: “The defendant denies there was any intent, on that particular night, to commit an offence.

“It was an unpleasant act and it must have been upsetting for Declan.

“The defendant does feel sorry for what he did.”

He added that Kelly has led a “chaotic” life since he was abandoned by his mother, aged three. “Most nights he lies awake at night thinking about what might have been,” he said.

Kelly will be transferred to an adult prison when he is 21.