A MAN has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after he robbed an elderly man in the street in Oxford.

Jake Smith, 26, of Luther Street in Oxford, pleaded guilty on Monday, October 10, to one count of robbery, two counts of burglary and one count of fraud.

Oxford Crown Court heard how Smith stole a credit card during a burglary in Boars Hill, before attempting to carry out a burglary at a property in The Motte, Abingdon, on May 23.

The next day Smith used the stolen credit cards at a local shop.

He also admitted stealing cash from a 73-year-old man in Luther Street on July 10.

He was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to 40 months in prison.

Thames Valley Police detective sergeant Aidan Donohoe said: "Smith is a prolific criminal whose offending is fuelled by his drug addiction.

"Having been granted bail by the court when charged with two burglaries, he went on to rob a vulnerable elderly male resulting in the victim being hospitalised for a week.

"I'm glad that the court recognised the seriousness of his crimes by issuing such a significant sentence."