A MEAT cleaver-wielding robber who preyed on late night commuters has been jailed indefinitely.

Tony Rhodes, 20, targeted rail passengers as they made their way home from Ilford station in March.

The shaven-headed thug threatened one terrified victim a with the cleaver before making off with £165 cash and his mobile phone.

Rhodes, who admitted plotting to carry out further muggings with an unidentified associate, also robbed a second witness of £60 at knifepoint.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the cannabis addict carried out the crimes just yards from his flat, in Balfour Road, Ilford.

Rhodes admitted two counts of robbery, two counts of having an offensive weapon and conspiracy to rob.

He denied three further counts of robbery involving cash and mobile phones and three counts of having an offensive weapon.

Ms Recorder Bobbie Cheema handed him an indeterminate sentence of detention to protect the public.

The judge ordered those remaining charges to lie on the court file.

Rhodes must serve a minimum of two and a half years before a parole board can consider his release.