A DRUG addict robbed a retired civil servant of cash as he collected it from a bank cashpoint, Worcester Crown Court heard.

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

Thomas Daniell held on to the defendant and was warned: "Let me go or I'll stab you," said prosecutor Antonie Muller.

Gooding, who only pretended he had a knife, eventually broke free outside the HSBC bank in Upton-upon-Severn and escaped with £10.

But Mr Daniell 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-upon-Severn, admitted robbery. He was jailed for two years.

Cash for heroin

The defendant struck on the afternoon of February 21. He told police he needed cash to buy heroin.

Graham Cliff, defending, said he had asked a doctor for help to beat his 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 street robbery demanded protection for the public. Drug addiction was no excuse for crime.

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