A COURT has been told how a hammer was used against a woman in a street robbery.

As she fought back one of the men swung a hammer though he did not strike her.

Yesterday, 18 year-old Anthony Paul Sykes, of Cambria Street, Bolton, appeared to be sentenced for robbery and burglary at Bolton Crown Court.

Judge Bruce Macmillan jailed him for two years for burglary and two years for robbery to run consecutively.

Julian Taylor, prosecuting, said the woman saw the two men approach as she stood at the bus stop.

She began to walk back towards home and then turned to go back to the bus stop as they passed her. But they grabbed her bag and when she struggled, one of the men swung the hammer round.

A neighbour came out and recognised Sykes as they ran off.

Sykes told police he had been with his cousin but two witnesses failed to identify him at an identity parade.

While on bail, Sykes and another man broke into a house in Bradbourne Close, Bolton, but were disturbed by the owner, Ismail Patel, who was sleeping on the settee.

He heard noises and thought it was his son but discovered two men in his living room. They fled when they saw him.

Mr Patel found that a window had been forced to gain entry to his house.

Wayne Jackson, defending, said Sykes admitted the robbery but did not know the other man had a hammer with him.

He said Sykes' life had been blighted by drugs and that he financed his addiction through resorting to crime.