A SERIAL Dudley crook who callously helped to rob a frightened and vulnerable Netherton pensioner suffering from dementia and mobility problems has been put behind bars for four years.

Judge James Burbidge QC ruled the sentence should run consecutively to the eight year jail term Keith Williams is currently serving for another robbery in which a terrified woman was told she would be stabbed.

He said 44-year-old Williams had an "appalling" criminal record and he had clearly targeted his 75-year-old victim who was jumped on and then pinned to a sofa before his wallet containing £40 was taken.

Williams went to the old man's flat with an accomplice after being let in to the premises by a woman known to the victim - someone he thought was "being friendly."

The pensioner who suffered badly from arthritis lived alone and he feared he was going to be beaten up, said Charles Crinnion prosecuting.

He told Wolverhampton Crown Court that in a victim impact statement the pensioner felt "terrible" about what happened adding that he used to enjoy visitors coming to his flat.

The man said he now panics when he hears the front door bell and he no longer knew who to trust adding that he felt the level of violence directed at him was totally unnecessary.

Williams, of Baptist End Road, admitted robbery and the judge told him he had come perilously close to being classed as a dangerous offender.

The judge said the pensioner was a man of modest means and he had been extremely frightened by the robbers who had demanded, "Where's your wallet?"

He told Williams it was a serious crime against a vulnerable man who had been targeted and his jail term would now total 12 years.

The court was told Williams had 76 previous offences on his criminal record and apart from the eight year sentence he had also been given a four year jail term for other crimes.

Williams, said Mr Crinnion, left the pensioners flat after the robbery with his accomplice but he was arrested soon afterwards after he was spotted and recognised by a neighbour.