A RELAPSED drug addict who threatened a shop owner with a craft knife has been jailed for 30 months.

Andrew Lennon, of Lucy Faithfull House, Speedwell Street, Oxford, was sentenced on Thursday at Oxford Crown Court after he admitted one count of robbery.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said the 33-year-old tried to steal two cans of beer from Folly Bridge Stores, on Folly Bridge, Oxford, on February 13.

She told Judge Zoe Smith that Lennon was spotted tucking cans into his trousers by the shop’s owner, Abdul Rouf, who blocked the door to stop him leaving.

The barrister said the defendant took out a craft knife with a one-inch blade and said: “I’ve got a blade and I’m HIV positive and I will use the blade, don’t stop me.”

She said Mr Rouf later spotted Lennon in a nearby Tesco and called the police.

Miss Olliver added that Lennon has 21 convictions for 41 offences, 29 of which were for thefts.

Graham Bennett, defending, said his client had been able to deal with his drink and drug problems and stop committing offences in 2011, but relapsed following the breakdown of a relationship at the end of last year.

He added that Lennon denied he had said anything about being HIV positive.