A 27-year-old man involved in robbing two brothers who were enjoying a barbecue in a Wirral park has been jailed for three years.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that James Hill had not been out of prison long before the incident in April.

Lee and Daniel McGuinness had decided that they would have a barbecue in Arrowe Park and bought some meat and a disposable grill.

But after they arrived they were approached by four men including Hill, said Michael Stephenson, prosecuting.

“What was first a bit of ribaldry, ‘give us a burger’, become more insistent demands from two of the males.

“They gave up the idea, entirely abandoned their food and walked away but were still carrying a bag full of food. They were followed by two of the males who demanded food.

“Lee McGuinness looked round and found things had become more sinister. They had both put up their hoods and the defendant was holding a knife.”

The brothers went to the police and and reported the robbery giving a full description and added the robber had said he was meant to be sectioned in hospital.

Hill, of Big Meadow Road, Woodchurch, was arrested and picked out of an identity parade.

Mr Stephenson said the brothers were “traumatised” by the thought they could have been stabbed.

Hill, who has previous convictions including attempted robbery, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article.

Jailing him Judge David Aubrey QC said: “You threatened both males with a knife so they were extremely frightened and anxious.

“At the time you should have been in Arrowe Park hospital receiving an assessment or treatment.”