A ROBBER who targeted school children has been jailed after threatening to stab a boy with learning difficulties.

Simeon Haven's 15-year-old victim was robbed outside Stafford railway station in September 2008.

And the prolific offender, branded "a menace" by a judge, was yesterday given a 30-month youth custody sentence at Stafford Crown Court.

Recorder John Higham QC told him: "This was a mean offence committed on a young 15-year-old boy who had difficulties communicating.

"Your victim was vulnerable and your decision to contest the case meant he had to go through the process of giving evidence, he had to relive the events with which he was confronted."

Nineteen-year-old Haven, of Churchill Road, Stone, denied robbery, but was found guilty by a jury last October.

The victim, who can not be named for legal reasons, told jurors that the robber said to him: "I'll stab you if you don't give me the phone."

The court heard that Haven had previous convictions, including offences of robbery.

"I have no doubt you threatened to stab him if he didn't hand over his mobile phone," added Mr Higham.

"You have an outrageous record of street robbery on young children. At that time you were a menace as regards school children going about their business."

Chris Clark, defending, said Haven had settled with a partner and they had a child.

He had started a course at Stafford College, which he intended to resume on his release.