A drug user took a disabled friend's purse from her handbag and picked up a large knife but did not use it.
Konrad Thomas was confronted by the victim who had known him for seven or eight years.
He pushed her away and "stupidly picked up a knife in the room," said Judge Steven Coupland, who sentenced Thomas at Nottingham Crown Court.
The incident happened on March 4 last year at around 8.30pm when the victim - who mainly used a wheelchair - was at home with friend Thomas and another woman.
Thomas, 46, of Glengarry Way, Sinfin, Derby, who the woman knew could be volatile, said "I want to rob someone".
She decided to get him out of the house but Thomas said "I will go when I am ready".
Thomas went to her handbag to take her purse and left.
The court heard in mitigation that Thomas has a support worker, has a Methadone prescription, his mental health is stable and he is in a relationship.
He was sentenced to a two-year community order after he pleaded guilty to theft and common assault and must do 15 rehabilitation activity days. A restraining order was made for five years to stay away from the victim and an address in Stapleford.
Judge Coupland said Thomas had been taking drugs last March and "you were acting in an odd way" and was in that state when he decided to steal a purse from someone he knew.
