A MAN branded a menace and danger to society has been jailed for randomly punching a woman.

Richard Schofield, 23, was jailed for the public’s protection yesterday after admitting burglary and affray.

But the Berry Brow man has a string of convictions to his name – the judge read out at least 20 offences and said “the list goes on” as he jailed the thug.

During a burglary last March Schofield, of Bishops Court, wielded an axe as he tried to steal a garden strimmer from an Edgerton house.

When confronted by the teenage children of the homeowner, Schofield shouted “come on then” as he brandished the weapon.

Fearing for their safety, the teenagers moved away and Schofield rode off on his bike.

He was arrested and police found the axe at his house, but Schofield denied being involved and provided alibis, which failed to stand up.

Judge Peter Benson said he was unhappy that charges of affray and brandishing an axe for the burglary incident were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. The charges will remain on his file.

While on bail pending court for the burglary incident, Schofield committed a further offence on August 22 when he confronted a woman in her 40s as she walked along a footpath off Red Doles Lane.

Without any provocation, Schofield punched the woman who then fell to the ground, he stole her bag and groceries and rode off on his bike.

A short time later he stopped a man as he walked along Leeds Road and asked the man for a cigarette.

The man told Schofield he didn’t have one, but Schofield became more aggressive and threatened the victim so much the 21-year-old offered to withdraw cash from a machine.

The male victim began to cry as Schofield became even more aggressive and two good Samaritans stepped in to help, but Schofield racially abused one of them and pulled a “shiny metal object” from his pocket.

He threatened to “shank” [stab] one of the good Samaritans before making off.

As the three men were giving statements to police, they spotted Schofield outside the police station and he was arrested and police discovered a silver spanner on him.

Imprisoning Schofield for the public’s protection, Judge Peter Benson said: “It is of concern to me that in the last few years you have committed two offences of robbery and you have threatened to use gratuitous violence and been intimidating.

“In your pre-sentence report you have shown a lack of empathy and have a positive view on the use of violence.

“You are, in my opinion, of a high risk of committing serious harm in the future and for that reason you will be sent to prison.

“Unless you can show you are no longer a risk you will remain in prison.”

Schofield would have been sentenced for three years for the robbery and two years for burglary if he did not pose a danger to the public.

Schofield has previous convictions dating back to 2004 when he was charged with carrying a bladed article and two offences of battery.

In 2005 he was charged with threatening racial abuse, attempted burglary and threatening behaviour.

In 2006 he was sentenced to six months for burglary, committed further battery, attempted burglary, threatening behaviour and in 2008 he was sent to prison for 16 weeks for arson.

Further battery and robbery offences followed in 2009 and in May 2010 he assaulted a police officer with disorderly behaviour charges following in 2011.

DS Ian Thornes of the Kirklees Robbery Team said: “We are very pleased with the decision of the judge in this case and equally pleased to see Schofield behind bars for what should be a considerable period of time.

“Schofield is a menace and carried out a series of very serious offences.

“His sentencing is another good result for the robbery team and sends a further warning message out to those who think they can prey on the vulnerable and get away with it.”