A YOB who went on a mugging spree just three weeks after he was released from prison has been jailed for two years.

John Piggott was released on licence half way through a prison sentence for another spate of robberies but began reoffending when he became desperate for drugs money.

The 24-year-old approached all of his victims at a tram stop, asking them for change.

He then made a grab for their money and ran off.

Police caught up with Piggott, of Miller Street, Eccles, after one brave victim chased him and called police.

Piggott, a cannabis addict, was sentenced to two years in prison for the muggings which took place between December 26, 2007 and December 31, 2007 around Brooklands tram stop.

His victims included two 15-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy.

He was arrested after an older victim chased after him and grabbed hold of him.

Piggott, who had previous convictions for theft and attempted robberies, had been jailed in November 2006 for 32 months.

It was while he was released on licence that he committed the tram stop robberies.

Amy Nicholson, defending, said: "It is clear that this was a vulnerable young man under the influence of drugs.

"In terms of whether he is likely to reoffend it is clear that he is a high risk.

"He abuses cannabis on a regular basis and he has no family support.

"He has two older brothers who are well known to the courts.

"One is serving a life sentence for murder and one is serving seven years in prison.

"He has no father to speak of and his mother died in November 2006 - shortly before he was jailed on the previous occasion.

"He doesn’t have any visitors in prison. He is socially isolated."

Recorder Peter Atherton told Piggott: "In each case you either intimidated or threatened people so that you could take their money and these offences were committed in a public place."