A Worcester bingo hall worker has been cleared of carrying out a robbery at knifepoint on a stranger he had met a few minutes before on a city railway station.

Nathan Capewell claimed at Worcester Crown Court that he was the victim of robbery rather than the man, who had made the complaint against him. He also denied drug dealing.

Capewell, aged 21, of Church Road, Malvern, had denied robbing Stephen Letts of £120 and offering to supply him with cannabis.

The pair met on Foregate Street station on May 7 last year after Capewell had finished work at Gala Bingo, said Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting.

Capewell had missed the last train to Malvern and Mr Letts was waiting to go to Gloucester. There was talk about cannabis and Capewell offered to supply Mr Letts with a £5 wrap.

Mr Cartwright said they walked to a quiet street at the rear of the Shirehall where Capewell pulled out a knife and demanded cash. Mr Letts handed over £120 in £20 notes.

Aggressive manner

He alleged that Capewell ran off and was seen in a taxi a few minutes later by Mr Letts. The taxi driver said the fare had been paid out of £20 notes.

The men met by chance outside the railway station the next day and Mr Letts called the police.

Capewell told the court he had kicked heroin addiction 18 months ago. When he arrived on the station platform, he said Mr Letts was smoking a joint and asked him for £3. After refusing, he left the station but Mr Letts followed him.

Mr Letts barred his way into the Postal Order pub and chased him down Pierpoint Street in an aggressive manner. Capewell said he was scared and offered to go and get some money but took the opportunity to catch a taxi and go home.

Next day, he was met by Mr Letts and accomplices and they took £10 from him after threats.

Capewell was found not guilty of robbery and drug dealing.