A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been locked up for three years for a knifepoint attempted robbery.

Mohammed Yasin, who had fallen into debt, watched the movements of delivery driver Tariq Mahmood for a number of days before attacking him after he left his home in Athol Road, Manningham, Bradford.

Yasin, who lived 500 yards away in Victor Road, Heaton, jumped out of an alleyway as Mr Mahmood walked to his parked van, with £6,400 he had collected from customers.

Yasin, who was hooded and wearing a balaclava mask, approached his victim, demanding money and waving a large hunting knife above his head. But he fled empty-handed when Mr Mahmood resisted.

Yasin pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and having a bladed article.

In mitigation, his solicitor advocate, Arshad Mahmood, said his client was never going to use the knife.

Sentencing Yasin to three years youth custody at Bradford Crown Court today, Judge Colin Burn said: "I have no doubt that, confronted with this hunting knife with a masked assailant, Mr Mahmood was undoubtedly in fear of very serious injury, if not his life."