A drunken man who robbed a householder of a laptop computer has been jailed for six years.
Craig Sheldon (33) had gone to the ground-floor flat in Abbey Lane, Leicester, with an associate, who went to confront the victim about some gossip.
When the associate began attacking the victim on his doorstep, Sheldon took advantage of the situation, going inside without permission and helping himself to a computer, a charger and £50.
He admitted the robbery during a hearing at Leicester Crown Court.
The court heard there was "a history" between the men.
Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said the incident happened at 10pm on March 21.
Sheldon, of Drummond Road, off Abbey Lane, was with the associate, who ended up head-butting and punching the victim in the face.
Mr Murphy said: "The defendant took the opportunity to run into the flat and take the items. The victim was very scared.
"However, the defendant's girlfriend later returned the laptop to the victim. Sheldon accepted he'd stolen the computer, but not the money.
"He told the police he was very drunk at the time. He didn't accept there was any use of force."
Sentencing, Judge Michael Pert said: "Robbery in the home is serious. We're all entitled to feel safe in our homes.
"I have to sentence you for robbery, which is stealing, involving the use or threat of violence. I accept it wasn't you who used violence and that it isn't the case of a complete stranger being attacked in his home and there was some knowledge of each other."
Jacqueline Callan, mitigating, said: "He's had a long-standing battle with heroin and, more recently, alcohol abuse.
"He's of the view the best thing that could happen to him is to go into custody and get clean of alcohol and drugs.
"Once clean he can go on to a treatment package. He knows it's custody today. There was a history between the parties."
The court heard that Sheldon's associate was cleared at a recent trial of involvement in the robbery.
He claimed he did not know a robbery was going to happen.
The victim suffered no significant injury in the attack.
