A 73-year-old jeweller was assaulted and beaten by a masked man during a £4,000 robbery at his shop in Burnham-on-Crouch, a court heard on Tuesday.

At one stage, Harold Paine felt the raider "grinding his face against a workbench", Chelmsford Crown Court was told.

John Smith, 37, of Granary Close, Latchingdon, near Maldon, admitted charges of robbery, unlawfully wounding Mr Paine, theft, and possessing amphetamine.

Smith, who was also in breach of a probation order imposed for offences of burglary and assaulting a policewoman, was jailed for a total of seven years.

Judge Jonathan Haworth told Smith: "You put your victim through a terrifying ordeal. The court will do its utmost to protect small and vulnerable shops such as this."

Sean Hammond, prosecuting, said on March 23 this year Mr Paine was alone in his workshop at his premises in Station Road, Burnham, when he became aware of a man in the service area with a black stocking over his face.

The intruder - the defendant Smith - swore at him and shouted: "Money, money. All the money." Mr Paine took some notes from the till and put them in a carrier bag. Smith grabbed the till drawer and emptied all the change into the bag.

For no apparent reason Smith then struck Mr Paine on the head pushing his glasses into his face. Mr Paine fell to the floor and Smith grabbed him by the face and dragged him into the shop area.

He said he wanted jewellery and Mr Paine picked up three trays of gold rings and put them in the bag.

Mr Paine was taken back into the workshop and forced onto the ground by Smith who told him: "I could kill you. It wouldn't make any difference."

Before leaving Smith took watches and clocks from a display cabinet. In all he escaped with £4,000 worth of property and £140 in cash.

Smith was arrested later that day when police chased and stopped his car in Burnham. He was searched and a number of rings, a large quantity of cash and a package containing amphetamine were found in his pockets. His home at Latchingdon was searched and police recovered 28 rings and watches and clocks.

Hugh Vass, mitigating, said Smith was very much the worse for drink that day and was in a state of confusion. He could remember nothing about the robbery "although he accepts what he has done and is thoroughly ashamed."

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