A VIOLENT robber who targeted the home of an elderly cancer victim in Saltcoats has been jailed for almost six years.

Steven Morrison, 39, and an accomplice raided the property looking for a woman who had previously lived there.

James Kirkwood, 88, was instead at home that night with his 45-year-old son and carer Peter Kirkwood.

Prosecutor Shanti Maguire told the High Court in Glasgow how the frail pensioner answered his door around 9.30pm on February 3, 2020, before a knife wielding assailant barged past him.

Pointing the blade, he yelled: “Where is she?” 

The raider then snatched a phone to stop Mr Kirkwood calling police.

Peter then raced downstairs before Morrison put what was described as a “sharp implement” at his neck.

Morrison told Peter: “Give me what you have got.”

Miss Maguire told the court: “He emptied his pockets and put the money on the floor. It was about £300. This was picked up by Morrison, who stated 'we have to go'.”

The accomplice then returned from upstairs clutching a number of boxes.

Morrison told the Kirkwoods: “Do not move or you will get it again.”

After they fled, it was discovered two phones, an iPod, a Sky TV box and a vape e-cigarette had been stolen.

James Kirkwood has since passed away.

Morrison was later held by police and appeared in the dock on Friday, April 26, when he pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and robbery.

Miss Maguire told the court Morrison had a “lengthy” list of convictions including a 12-month sentence for violence.

Judge Alasdair MacFadyen jailed him for five years and eight months for this latest crime.