'Heroic' action in robbery bid; COURT: Man grabs addict who attempted to mug frail OAP.

Byline: By Ron Warrilow

A MAN has been hailed a hero for grabbing a thug who tried to rob a frail pensioner.

Eagle-eyed Mark Shorthouse earned a pounds 200 reward for detaining drug addict Athaur Rahman in the street two days after he targeted an 85-year-old woman.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard 36-year-old Mr Shorthouse grabbed Rahman by the neck and held onto him until police officers arrived.

Jailing Rahman for two-and-a-half years, Judge Anthony Cleary said Mr Shorthouse "was prepared to put himself at risk by following up when he saw this man".

The court heard Mr Shorthouse, from Wednesbury, recognised Rahman two days after he spotted him trying to rob the pensioner in Wednesbury town centre.

Mark Rees, prosecuting, said Rahman approached the woman as she was on a flight of steps and tried to grab her bag, but she hung on until he ran away.

"She was left badly shaken and feeling very vulnerable," he said.

Rahman, 21, of Wharfdale Street, West Bromwich, admitted attempted robbery.

The judge told Rahman he had targeted the woman because she was "frail".

Rashan Mohammed, defending, said Rahman was looking for money to fuel his drug habit.