A 23-year-old robber from the Shrewsbury area who spat at his victim during the attack and was later traced because of a DNA match has been jailed for 36 months.

Serial thief David Wilson, of Briery Lane, Bicton, previously admitted robbing Robert Fry of a mobile phone, £20 and bank cards on December 22 last year.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, Wilson was sentenced to 30 months in jail for the robbery and re-sentenced to a further six months for a burglary originally dealt with by way of a conditional discharge.

Mr Philip Lowe, prosecuting, told the court Wilson was one of two attackers who targeted Mr Fry, 48, while he was walking his dog alone at night in Gains Park, Shrewsbury.

The court at the time Mr Fry was using the phone to call his 16-year-old son, who was left “distressed” by hearing the attack which followed.

Mr Lowe said: “Mr Fry’s dog started barking and he saw two darkly clothed men approaching from Pump Lane.

“As he passed them, one of the men said ‘watch out or I will rip the dog’s throat out’.

“One of them was heard saying ‘get the knife out’ and the defendant spat at Mr Fry.”

Mr Fry dropped his phone and was then chased and assaulted by Wilson, who kicked him once, while the other man punched him in the head, he said.

Mr Fry was forced to hand over cash and bank cards before the pair fled leaving him with cuts inside his mouth, a bloody nose and bruising.

Mr Lowe added the other attacker had not been traced and no weapon was produced in the attack.

Mrs Joanne Griffiths, for Wilson, said her client had shown “remorse” by writing to the court to give the name of his accomplice.

She added that his behaviour was explained by alcohol use and drug addiction.