A CHRONIC alcoholic and his son offered an asylum seeker accommodation in return for cider money - and then robbed him when he refused the invitation.David Guest, 52, of Augusta Gardens, Felixstowe and John Guest, 24, of Sheriton Road, Felixstowe, mugged Iraqi Umer Rebwar Fayek after he got off a train at Folkestone station.

A CHRONIC alcoholic and his son offered an asylum seeker accommodation in return for cider money - and then robbed him when he refused the invitation.

David Guest, 52, of Augusta Gardens, Felixstowe and John Guest, 24, of Sheriton Road, Felixstowe, mugged Iraqi Umer Rebwar Fayek after he got off a train at Folkestone station.

The victim walked into the town centre where he was stopped by John Guest and offered a room for the night, in return for £3, the Old Bailey heard today.

He was then taken to a house nearby where he was introduced to david Guest and shown a room with a mattress on the floor.

After 20 minutes, Mr Fayek, 21, decided he did not want to stay at the property and tried to leave, the court heard.

He was stopped by John Guest who demanded money for cider, punched him iun the head, and then threatened him with a dumbell while his father searched the victim for cash.

Prosecuting, Jess Israel said: "Soon after arriving at the house, John Guest began asking for £3 because he wanted to buy cider. Mr Fayek decided not to stay in the property. At this point John Guest walked to the front door, and continued to ask the victim for money, getting more aggravated. Mr Fayek decided to give him £1 so he could leave the premises. John Guest proceeded to punch Mr Fayek on the head, causing him to fall onto his back. Then, together with his father, they dragged the victim to the front room.

"John Guest then threatened the victim with a metal weight lifting bar, while his father searched his pockets removing £20, two Euros and credit cards.

"Mr Fayek told them he had £10 sterling in his bank account he would give them."

The victim was marched to a cashpoint where he withdrew the cash but then fled into a restaurant from where he was able to call police.

John Guest had pleaded guilty to robbery on March 3, at Maidstone Crown Court.

David Guest denied the robbery but was convicted by a jury. The Old Bailey heard he had 49 previous convictions, and his son had been before the courts for dishonesty and drugs offences.

Davina Heer, defending David Guest, said: "He pleaded not guilty but nevertheless he has expressed sympathy for the victim and understands how frightening the event was for him.

"He used to run a furniture shop in Folkestone but lost his business and property when his marriage of 14 years broke up."

Graham Ford, defending John Guest, said: "He was prepared to give evidence against his father, but it was decided he would not be called. The offence stems from the fact that John Guest was upset at the victim's attitude to his offer of accommodation."

Judge Stephen Robbins adjourned the case to Friday for a special hearing to determine the facts, as John Guest pleaded guilty but denies punching or kicking the victim, and admits brandishing a metal pole.