A HOMELESS man has been jailed for seven years for stabbing a pensioner during a robbery at his home.

Hamid Mahmood, 29, pleaded guilty before Bradford Crown Court to attacking Peter Cottrell, 68, at his home in Harrogate Street, Undercliffe, on May 20 this year.

Mahmood, of no fixed address, was sentenced to seven years for grievous bodily harm with intent and for five years for robbery to run concurrently.

Speaking after sentencing, Mr Cottrell told the Telegraph & Argus he had met Mahmood one day in Bradford Interchange and had been fooled by his helpful and innocent nature.

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“It was quite by chance we started a conversation,” said Mr Cottrell.

“He told me he was homeless and I felt sorry for him because he said he was a student here and his visa had expired.

“I invited him to stay with me for a couple of days so he could sort himself out. He was very friendly, did cooking with me and was generally very pleasant until one day he came up to me and asked me for some money for drugs.

“I didn’t know at the time he was an addict and I said no. He then stabbed me several times on my arm causing nerve and ligament damage and took my wallet.

“He demanded my PIN so I gave him a false number. When he went out I called the police. He didn’t get any money.

“I was in hospital for a week after the attack and have since had to have a couple of operations to repair the damage. I am having physiotherapy on a weekly basis to get the use of my hand back which is gradually improving.

“It was a case of bigger fool me for offering him somewhere to live for a while but you live and learn.

"He seemed very pleasant and seemed quite religious and genuine. I always think you have to have faith in people but I won’t be offering any sanctuary in the future.”

Mr Cottrell said he was satisfied with the sentence but added: "I have helped people in the past one way or another, but I will now think again in the future after this."