A HOUSE burglar who was released on licence is back behind bars after robbing a drug user for the sake of just £20.

Christopher Ainley, 36, of Cowlersley Lane, Cowlersley, was let out of jail part way through a 63-month sentence imposed in July 2009.

But Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that while on licence he armed himself with a broken bottle as he robbed a man of £20.

Prosecutor Clare Benson told the court the victim, a man in his 30s, put his hands up to defend himself when Ainley lashed out with the bottle behind a shop in the Filbert Street area of Birkby in December.

As a result the victim suffered a cut to his thumb.

The court heard that Ainley had started talking to the complainant and his partner as they were walking along Blacker Road.

Ainley indicated he knew someone who could drop off drugs, but after going behind the shop he grabbed the complainant in a headlock from behind and forced him on to his knees.

Ainley demanded the £20 the man had with him and after picking up the broken bottle at the scene he threatened to stick it in him.

Miss Benson said the couple were very frightened and the woman took the £20 from her partner and handed it to the criminal.

As the victim tried to break free, Ainley lashed out with the bottle causing an inch-long cut to the man’s thumb.

The couple ran off and Ainley was later arrested from his home after he was spotted on CCTV footage.

Ainley pleaded guilty to the robbery charge just a few days after his arrest and yesterday the Honorary Recorder of Bradford Judge James Stewart QC jailed him again for four-and-a-half years.

Ainley is back inside serving the outstanding two years and four months from his previous sentence and yesterday’s jail term will run alongside it.

His lawyer Mark Brookes conceded that the robbery offence was aggravated by the fact that it was committed just over a month after Ainley’s release on licence.

Judge Stewart described the offence as a serious robbery involving the use of a dangerous weapon.

In March 2009, Ainley was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment for a burglary in Rufford Road, Milnsbridge.

He talked his way into the home of a 79-year-old man to steal from him after befriending his victim during a trip to the supermarket.

In 2009 Ainley was also fined £50 for criminal damage.