An attempted robber threatened an elderly man and his vulnerable son with a knife - before handing them his phone number.
Jason Smyth targeted the 86-year-old man and his 54-year-old son, who has learning difficulties, after they withdrew his pension from a cash point in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham. The 27-year-old had his hood up and a mask covering his face when he approached them on October 3 last year.
Durham Crown Court heard how Smyth told them he had been watching them for weeks and said: "Give me your money". When the older man refused, Smyth produced a knife with a four-inch blade from his pocket and told him: "I'll shank you, now give me your money".
