A DRUG addict who took part in the robbery of an Oxford betting office has been jailed for a year.

Oxford Crown Court heard that 20-year-old Craig Saxton, of Sorrel Road, Blackbird Leys, kept watch as another man - who was not named - used a kitchen knife to threaten staff at Ladbrokes, in Barns Road, Cowley, until they handed over the contents of the till.

Prosecutor Rachel Drake said the two men then ran off with around £1,195.

The incident, which took place just after 9pm on September 21, was captured on CCTV cameras and police officers recognised Saxton. His fingerprints were also found on the shop door frame. Saxton, who had 17 previous convictions for offences, including burglary and shoplifting, admitted one count of robbery.

He asked for 14 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Nicholas Syfret, defending him, said: "At the time, the defendent was in the thralls of a drug addiction and drugs sometimes make young men do very serious criminal matters almost on the spur of the moment."

He said Saxton had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had the support of his family. Jailing him, judge Christopher Compston told Saxton he was "just persuaded" he did not pose a danger to the public.