AN armed raider who subjected a 75-year-old heart patient to a terrifying ordeal at his home has been jailed.

Darren Bottom, who now prefers to be known as Darren James, forced the Sherburn-in-Elmet pensioner to go to court to give evidence because he refused to accept the full extent of his crimes.

But after hearing from both men at York Crown Court, Judge Shaun Spencer QC rejected Bottom’s account and jailed him for seven years.

The police officer in the case yesterday hailed the sentence saying it would provide peace of mind to local residents.

PC Sinead McConigley, of York Police, said: “The victim has been left traumatised by this incident which he said is the cruellest thing that has happened to him in his life.”

Bottom, 42, of Finkle Street, Sherburn-in-Elmet, pleaded guilty to a violent burglary.

The pensioner told York Crown Court he was clearing out items at his home in Sherburn-in-Elmet before moving house. Suddenly Bottom appeared and demanded “hand it over”. He pulled out a knife and said “I want the money”.

He waved the knife around and put it against the pensioner’s back and made him go upstairs. The pensioner found it difficult to breathe because he has heart problems. Bottom grabbed the pensioner and held him down. The pensioner tried to grab the knife as it was waved in his face, but was injured. Bottom searched the elderly man’s pockets and got his wallet. He also demanded to know where the safe was.

Eventually the intruder said: “I’m off then,” and fled.