A drug addict robbed a retired civil servant as he collected his money from a cashpoint machine in Upton, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Russell Gooding grabbed £100 from Malcolm Prior but a member of the public raced to the rescue as the two men struggled.

Thomas Daniel held on to Gooding and was warned: "Let me go or I'll stab you."

Antonie Muller, prosecuting, said Gooding, who only pretended he had a knife, eventually broke free outside the Midland Bank, in Upton, and escaped with £10.

But Mr Daniels had known him for 20 years and was able to give police his name. He was quickly arrested.

Gooding, aged 27, of Cherry Orchard, Upton, pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for two years.

He struck on February 21. He told police he needed cash to buy heroin.

Graham Cliff, defending, said Gooding had asked a doctor for help to beat a drug habit before the offence. His previous offending had been drug or alcohol related.

While on remand he had twice tested negative for drugs and wanted the opportunity to be assessed for a drug testing and treatment order as an alternative to custody. But Judge Andrew Geddes said the public needed protection from street robbers and that the drug addiction was no excuse.

He also recognised the initiative and courage of Mr Daniel and awarded him £50 from public funds.