ROBERT Minister, 24, who burst into a Lydney man's home and attacked him before stealing his cash and a mobile phone, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Lee Harrington was at home in his flat above the Swan Hotel with his girlfriend when Minister and another man arrived at the door at 1am on August 17 last year, Gloucester Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Mary Harley said Mr Harrington, who knew Minister as 'Manchester Rob', opened the door to see him standing outside with a wine bottle in his hand.

"Mr Harrington tried to shut the door on him but he used his bodyweight to push his way in," the prosecutor said.

"He hit Mr Harrington on the left side of his face, making his mouth bleed. He then pushed past him into the kitchen.

"He started looking through the kitchen cupboards and then picked up a screwdriver from the worktop and waved it at Mr Harrington in a threatening manner.

"He went into the bedroom and looked through the drawers and he took a money jar and handed it to the second man."

Mrs Harley said Minister then left with the £270 cash and a mobile phone.

He committed the offence while subject to a suspended jail term he had received last year for an assault on a girlfriend he had accused of being unfaithful, said Mrs HarLey.

Minister, of Coalway Road, Coalway, pleaded guilty to the aggravated burglary of Mr Harrington's flat and also admitted being in breach of the suspended sentence.

He further admitted offences of taking his mother's car without consent and shoplifting, with three theft offences to be considered.