A teenage professional footballer descended into delinquency and took part in a terrifying street mugging.

Oxford Crown Court heard 18-year-old Nicholas James teamed up with his friend Leigh Smy, 21, and another man for the robbery in New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, in January.

Their victim was an acquaintance, Kader Benadel, who had his personal stereo stolen in the attack.

Edmund Walters, prosecuting, said: "A burger was grabbed from his hand by Mr Smy. Smy asked the aggrieved for £5 while Mr James grabbed hold of his right arm, forcing it up his back.

"The aggrieved felt very frightened by that."

He said as the pair ran off, Smy shouted: "I know where you live. Don't go to the police or I'll kill you."

Michael Lavers, defending James, told the court: "He was at one stage playing for Leyton Orient youth team. That was effectively before living a delinquent lifestyle ruined his chance of making it in the football game." The court heard that Smy, of Bernwood Road, Barton, had four previous convictions for violence. In one case he hit a man with an iron bar. Smy changed his plea to guilty during the trial after hearing the victim give evidence. His barrister Tim Forte said: "Remorse did overcome Mr Smy."

James, of Walthamstow, London, was convicted by the jury. He had pleaded guilty to burgling a home in Gaisford Road, Cowley, and stealing £2,120 of property.

Judge Anthony King sentenced Smy to 30 months in a young offenders' institution and James to three years and three months. He said: "Street robberies at night must be punished and punished firmly."

He added: "I am particularly concerned in the case of you, James, that you appear to be wasting talents that you have."

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