for robbery and assault.

Anderson, of Fork Lane, Southampton, appeared before Puisne Judge Norma Wade in the Supreme Court for sentencing.

Before being sentenced Anderson said: "I would like to apologise to the victims and to the public.

"I am not trying to justify my actions, but I would ask the court to take into consideration that it was drugs that allowed me to act in this way.'' He added: "I am not as bad as I am made out to be. It is just that I made some wrong choices in my life. Now I have learned to make better choices by attending drug classes.'' Anderson pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing to robbery, burglary, assault with intent to rob and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

The charges stem from an incident at a pensioner's home and an incident involving a taxi driver. The offences took place in July last year and February this year.

Mrs. Justice Wade sentenced Anderson to six years for each of the first three charges and ordered that the charge of possession of an offensive weapon lie on file. All the sentences are to run concurrently.

She said: "Senior citizens and taxi drivers need the protection that the law is able to afford them. If robbery and assault remain undeterred this community remains at great risk.'' Anderson was represented in court by Archie Warner who said his client was using crack co caine at the time of the offence at the pensioner's home.

He said that at the time of the offence involving the taxi driver his client was virtually homeless and living under stressful conditions.

Mr. Warner said Anderson had fallen into bad company and had started to use drugs.

But, said Mr. Warner, Anderson had turned himself into the Police after the incident at the pensioner's home.

At the time of the offence with the taxi driver, Mr. Warner said Anderson was living at the Salvation Army and was on drugs.

"The social inquiry report indicates that on the occasions when the defendant got into trouble he was under drugs and extremely stressful conditions.''