'Dangerous' robber stabbed Northampton man three times in the head before stealing wallet and watch

A "dangerous" robber who stabbed a man in his home and stole his watch and wallet has been jailed for eight years.

Maris Voits, of Kenmuir Gardens, Northampton, had been served lunch by his victim at a flat in Gold Street before he then demanded money and alcohol.

When the other man refused, Voits - who was drunk on vodka - launched a volley of punches and kicks before stabbing his scalp three times with a stanley knife.

At his sentencing at Northampton Crown Court on Friday (December 4), the court heard how this is the second time the 52-year-old has been locked up for mugging people at knife point, after he was jailed for eight years for the same thing in Slovenia.

HIs Honour Judge Rupert Mayo said: "I consider you to be dangerous. It's simple to conclude that given this offence and your previous offences that you pose a significant risk of harm to others."

In the incident in February this year, Voits and another man - Vadims Zukovs, of St James Road - knocked on the man's flat and were made something to eat.

All three were reportedly drunk, and when Zukovz went to a shop, Voits demanded money and alcohol from their host.

It was then that Voits launched an assault on his victim, who tried to leave several times only to be beaten by the 52-year-old.

Prosecutor Ben Gow told the court: "This defendant produced a black stanley knife and made cutting gestures at his own throat... He hit the victim on the head with the blade, causing blood to pour down his face."

The 52-year-old then robbed the man of his wallet and watch.

When Zukovs returned, he also punched the man in the face.

Then, bizarrely, both attackers then went to sleep in the flat on the sofa and main bed.

When their victim had his chance, he ran screaming from the flat for help.

Voits was later arrested in town centre, where he still had blood on his hands and trainers and was wearing his victim's watch.

In court, the judge heard how the 52-year-old later tried to convince police his victim had made "inappropriate sexual advances" towards him, which he decided had justified the attack.

The prosecution told the judge there was no evidence of this.

His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo told Voits: "You were motivated by your dislike of gay men, and that you have used [the victim's] sexuality as a means of distracting from the seriousness of what you did".

Voits was handed an extended sentence of nine and half years, which he will spend a minimum of eight years of in prison.

His co-defendant Zukovs was jailed for eight months in October after pleading guilty to punching the man.