A TEENAGE petrol-sniffer who threatened to stab his sister and left his father “fearing for his own life” has been jailed.

Robbie Stephens had been released from a young offenders’ institute just two days before he stormed into his relatives’ homes in Littlemore and Blackbird Leys, Oxford.

The 19-year-old’s father, Robert, said in a police statement about his son’s violent history: “I feel like a prisoner in my own home.

“Every time he’s out (of an institution) I’m living in fear for my life.”

Stephens, of no fixed address, has 25 convictions for 53 offences including burglary, having knives and threatening to kill his father.

He was jailed for three years and 11 months at Oxford Crown Court on Friday after earlier admitting affray, aggravated burglary, breach of a restraining order and having an offensive weapon.

Hilary Neville, prosecuting, said Stephens initially went to his 24-year-old sister Tracy’s house in Priory Road, Littlemore, at about 12.30pm on August 22 last year smelling of fumes “as he would sniff petrol as well as take alcohol”.

Miss Neville said: “There was no incident at that stage but he accused her of being a ‘snitch’.

“He left and returned later that evening at about 8.45pm. This time Tracy was in her flat with her two sons aged five years and five months.

“He strongly smelled of petrol and Tracy is unclear what happened next but she found herself pinned up against a wall with the defendant leaning over her.

“He pulled a knife from his waistband and threatened her, saying, ‘I’m going to stab you, you’re a snitch’.”

The court heard Stephens’ sister did not suffer any injuries and eventually the defendant left.

Moments later he pulled up on a bicycle at his parents’ house in Knights Road, Blackbird Leys, and flashed a knife before going inside.

Miss Neville said: “His father had gone upstairs and was trying to press a panic alarm because of previous problems.

“(The defendant) said ‘you can press your police alarm all you like, you’re already dead’.”

Stephens made off with two alcohol decanters worth about £80 but was quickly tracked down by officers and a police dog, which bit him.

Paul Harrison, defending, said: “With the notable exception of his father he had enjoyed, as far as he was concerned, a good relationship with the rest of his family, including Tracy.

“He insists he would never, ever harm his sister and he didn’t do so, although she was clearly left upset and frightened.”

Recorder Emily Formby, who took more than an hour deciding her sentence, told Stephens he had “an appalling record of offending”.