A WELL-KNOWN Big Issue seller has been jailed for 16 months for attacking a man he knew in the street and robbing him of just £7.30.

James Muirhead, 30, of Bridge Street West, Middlesbrough, pushed his victim against the wall, headbutted him and took £7.30 in cash before warning, "if you go to the police you’ll be dead in a week".

Teesside Crown Court was told that Muirhead, often seen in Middlesbrough selling the Big Issue with his dog at his side, had relapsed into taking heroin on the recent anniversary of his nine-year-old daughter’s death in 2011.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, explained that the male victim had been heading to Sainsbury’s on Linthorpe Road at about 10pm on April 28 this year to buy a bottle of wine for himself and his partner.

The victim knew Muirhead, who had previously shouted abuse at him, and noticed that the Big Issue seller was following him on Princes Road. Muirhead eventually pushed the man against the wall and grabbed him by the throat shouting, "what have you got, give me your phone".

Muirhead then rifled through the man’s pockets, took £7.30 in change, headbutted him, and warned him his life was in danger if he approached the police. The victim began making his way home but Muirhead reappeared and grabbed him by the jacket.

However this time the victim was able to bang on the window of a friend who came to the rescue and Muirhead ran off.

Ms Masters, who said Muirhead had a previous conviction for robbery in 2009, read a victim statement to the court which revealed that Muirhead’s latest victim had been scared to leave his home for several days. “It destroyed my confidence,” said the victim.

Kelleigh Lodge, mitigating, said Muirhead had been successfully overcoming heroin addiction but had relapsed at the time of the anniversary of the death of his daughter, aged nine, in 2011. He had also been taking sleeping pills and could not remember key parts of the attack. He was genuinely remorseful and had pleaded guilty as soon as possible. Muirhead had not deliberately targeted his victim. He had concerns for the welfare of his dog if he went to jail.

Passing sentence Judge Simon Hickey noted the distress of the victim. He said: “These types of street robberies have a great effect on people. He (the victim) feels he was selected by you and I agree.”

Muirhead was jailed for 16 months and must pay a £900 fine and was also given a new automatic criminal court charge of £900 and a victim surcharge.