TEENAGER Adam Roberts has been sentenced to six years and nine months in jail for stabbing and robbing a pizza delivery man during a prolific crime spree.

Gloucester Crown Court was told on Monday that Roberts, 18, was in the midst of a catalogue of more than 30 crimes - many of them burglaries and robberies - when he stabbed Adal Ahmadi.

Roberts, of Bisley Old Road, Stroud, embarked on the offences just weeks after being released from a previous custodial sentence.

He pleaded guilty to robbing Mr Ahmadi of money, jewellery and a mobile phone on February 4 this year and admitted wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Roberts also pleaded guilty to three other offences, each against a different man on the same day.

He admitted attempted robbery, robbery and assault and also asked for 29 other offences to be taken into consideration.Roberts was sentenced to six years and nine months in jail.

He will serve four years and six months in prison before being released on parole.The court heard that Roberts committed the offences to buy cocaine and mephedrone.

Mr Ahmadi was stabbed after arriving at Roberts' address to deliver a pizza on the evening of February 4, the court heard.

Prosecutor Janine Wood said that once Mr Ahmadi was inside the flat, the door was locked, a knife was produced and he was ordered to turn out his pockets.

"He put £30 on the table and was also ordered by Roberts to hand over his mobile phone.

"He was asked for his car keys. He said he didn't have a car. The defendant did not appear to believe him and stabbed him in the left arm with the knife.

"Another man came into the room and was told by the defendant to beat up Mr Ahmadi, which he did.

"The defendant stabbed Mr Ahmadi again in the arm and he and the other man then ran off."

Mr Ahmadi needed five stitches to his left arm and three in the upper arm.In a victim impact statement, Mr Ahmadi said he had now given up his job because he felt 'very scared' about making deliveries.

The court heard that earlier in the day, at 4pm, four friends were in Merrywalks, Stroud, on their way to the bowling centre when they saw Roberts and two others approaching them.

Roberts punched one on the ear and demanded money from two of them.

Dermot Clarke, for the defence, said that Robert was 'placid, polite and friendly' when not under the influence of drink and drugs.

While on remand, he had been given trusted positions including working with knives in the kitchen, he said.

He had also become a mentor, listening to the problems of other young inmates and helping them get advice.

Roberts was also determined to improve himself academically in custody and was taking NVQs.