A MAN who carried out a "nasty" street robbery in Chorley town centre, has been jailed for four years.

Mark McFayden initially threatened the victim with a metal bar before later catching him up and attacking him.

Tony Hooper was punched to the ground, kicked and had items including his mobile phone stolen.

The judge, Recorder John Bromley-Davenport QC, sentencing McFayden at Preston Crown Court told the 27 -year-old: "This was a very, very unpleasant and nasty offence of street robbery. It was a persistent offence in that you followed him after the initial contact between you".

McFayden of Delamere Place, Chorley, pleaded guilty to the offence which occurred in January.

Mr Tim Ashmole, prosecuting, said Mr Hooper had been with his girlfriend to Sam's Bar in Chorley town centre, before leaving to walk to her home. As he headed towards the railway underpass he was approached by McFayden who asked him for a cigarette. When he said he didn't have any the defendant picked up a metal bar from the floor and threatened him with it.

Mr Hooper left the scene and McFayden walked off. Later on, thinking he had shrugged him off Mr Hooper felt a blow to the right cheek and eye as he entered the railway underpass.

The blow knocked him to the ground and he was kicked by McFayden who was still shouting about a cigarette.

Mr Hooper was kicked in his body and legs before his attacker removed a mobile phone, benefit book and tobacco from his pockets.

Mr Hooper's DNA was later found on a tracksuit top of the defendant.

Mr Mark Lamberty, defending, told the court McFayden would say that he was provoked by some remark from the victim.