An out-of-control cocaine addict who committed robberies on trains has been locked up for three-and-a-half years.

Billy Hendrick targeted three commuters and made threats, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

The first victim was on a train from London to the Gravesend on the evening of May 8 when 20-year-old Hendrick sat next to him. He took the man’s iPhone from his lap and moved to another part of the train.

Hendrick put the £400 phone in his sock. As the train approached Gravesend station, the man followed him and asked where the phone was.

“The defendant reacted in a mocking way by taking his tracksuit bottoms down and telling him to search him,” said prosecutor Mary Jacobson.

The phone was never recovered.

Hendrick struck again on May 31. Daniel Breslin was travelling from Dartford to Stone in the evening when Hendrick boarded the train with three young children and his partner.

Mr Breslin felt compelled to give Hendrick £3 after being told his mother was ill and he needed some money.

“The defendant noticed £10 in the wallet and started to threaten him,” said Miss Jacobson. “He was trapped with the defendant sitting next to him.

“He said: ‘Give me that tenner. I don’t want to have to hurt you or cut you.’ He saw his hand moving to his pocket and thought he had a knife.

“He gave him the £10 note. The defendant and the woman and children got off at Stone Crossing. As he left he said: ‘Cheers mate, I’ll pay you back.’”

In the third incident on June 15 Hendrick boarded a train in Swanley, again with three children and his partner.

“Your offending history shows a disregard for law and order. The risk of harm to the public is assessed as high...” - Recorder David Jeremy QC

He was being abusive and threatening and the woman was crying, saying she had been dragged out by him and had no money to get home.

Passenger Leigh Blayney felt sorry for her and gave her £20.

Hendrick then told him: “You have just given my missus £20. She says you have got a wad of 50s on you. I will pick you up and throw you in the toilet if you don’t give me £200.

“I will follow you off the station, then I will beat you and take your money.”

But Mr Blayney refused to be intimidated and rang the police. An officer later recognised Hendrick from the CCTV footage in all three incidents.

He was arrested at Elmley Prison in Sheppey on July 10, when he was serving a sentence for shoplifting.

Hendrick, of no fixed address, admitted robbery, theft and attempted robbery.

Recorder David Jeremy QC said of the attempt to rob Mr Blayney: “What a revolting crime that was.”

He added: “Your offending history shows a disregard for law and order. The risk of harm to the public is assessed as high.”

A probation officer had proposed a lengthy prison sentence. “It is not often a probation officer is driven to write that in a report,” said Recorder Jeremy.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Denis Mahoney said: “Hendrick left his victims in little doubt he was prepared to use violence if they failed to comply with his demands.

“The fact he struck three times shows just how confident he had become.

“We work hard to keep passengers safe, and I am glad Hendrick has been brought to account for his actions.”