A MAN who threatened an elderly couple at knifepoint in their home in Great Sankey during a robbery has been jailed.

Grant Pridham, of Birdwell Drive, Great Sankey, is now behind bars after being sentenced to seven years and nine months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old was arrested on the morning of February 16 following a break-in at a house on Mapplewell Crescent.

A search of the area was launched shortly after 12am after a man, who was later identified as Pridham, forced his way into the property through the front door while the elderly couple in their 70s were still awake.

He threatened the couple with a knife before stealing the keys to a black Ford Focus Estate which he used as a getaway car.

But Pridham was later detained following a search of the area by officers and one of the force's police dogs.

The car was returned to the owners who were left 'shaken and upset' following the terrifying ordeal.

Pridham was convicted of robbery, driving offences including being behind the wheel of a car while disqualified and possession of a knife. 

He was also banned from driving for six years.