A thug from Helston who viciously attacked a man in his own home before robbing him of £300 has been jailed.

Steven Meehan, 24, of no fixed abode in Helston, pleaded guilty to robbery when he appeared at Truro Crown Court on June 14.

The court heart that Meehan, and an unknown co-offender, called at an address in Church Street on April 15.

A 25-year-old man was home alone and answered the door, and was badly beaten by the offenders before they robbed him of £300 and told him to not report it to the police.

Meehan was sentenced to six years and three months behind bars for the vicious and unprovoked attack.

The victim sustained facial injuries and broken teeth, and was left in fear that the two might return - but was brave enough to report it to the police.

Meehan was arrested the next day and charged, but despite an extensive investigation the second offender was not identified.

Meehan had previously pleaded not guilty to the offence but changed his plea on the morning of the crown court trial.

Detective Constable Martin Hearn, of Helston CID, said: “The offence was a nasty and sustained attack on a lone male in his home. It is thought that the victim was picked out due to recent talk in Helston that he had won some money.

“The 14-month case was built around property recovered from Meehan’s address, forensic evidence, and the bravery of the victim to come forward and spend 14 months suffering from Meehan’s associates calling him a liar and supporting Meehan despite the callous nature of the crime and events.

“The sentence of six years and three months reflects the serious nature of the offence, and the lack of admission until the morning of the trial."