North Hull attacker Philip James Stevenson is locked up

AN ELDERLY man welcomed the jail sentence given to a "dangerous" robber who attacked him in his home.

Philip James Stevenson, 25, burst into 75-year-old Derek Upfield's home in north Hull late on an August evening last year.

Stocky Stevenson tied Mr Upfield up with rope he had taken with him, took a knife from the kitchen and threatened to kill the victim and his dog.

Mr Upfield was repeatedly punched in the face and continually threatened for 30 minutes.

Stevenson, also of north Hull, left with £500 of property and cash, together with a collection of Mr Upfield's late father's First World War medals.

The thug was caught when someone read the Mail's report on the attack and informed police Stevenson had the medals.

They were returned to Mr Upfield and Stevenson has now been jailed for eight-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to robbery at Hull Crown Court.

He was also given a two-month sentence for criminal damage after being involved in an incident in Withernsea in which he and another man threw paving stones through the window of a house.

One of the occupants was struck by a paving stone.

Stevenson was on bail for the robbery at the time.

Mr Upfield, who attended the court to witness his attacker being jailed, said: "I am delighted with the sentence and I'm just pleased it has all come to an end.

"I didn't feel anything when I saw him in the court. He is just a bloody coward.

"I was a bit worried when he was out on bail because he had told me during the attack he would kill me if I went to the police.

"But I was not going let him stop me living my life."

Detective Sergeant Simon Gawthorpe, who led the investigation, said: "Stevenson is undoubtedly a very dangerous man and I am happy he has been given the eight-and-a-half year stretch.

"A dangerous man is off the streets.

"I am really happy with the sentence and happy for Derek that there may be some closure on the incident.

"What he went through was terrible and even the eight years is no consolation really for the stress and terror he will have been through."