A DRUG addict who killed a pensioner during a daylight street robbery was yesterday jailed for six-and-a-half years.

And four public-spirited office workers who chased and caught 22-year-old Wayne Kenneth Cooper are each to get a £300 reward.

York Crown Court heard that Cooper targeted Eileen Smith, 72, as she walked along Hebden Rise, Acomb, York, to a hairdresser's appointment on the afternoon of August 27.

Jeremy Richardson QC, prosecuting, said Cooper came up behind her and pulled her handbag off her shoulder with such force that she fell to the ground and was fatally injured.

But as he walked across York Road a few minutes later, Paul Harrison and three colleagues from railway company TICS saw him, gave chase and grabbed him.

Cooper, of Danesfort Avenue, Acomb, admitted manslaughter and robbery. A murder charge was dropped.

The Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, commended the public-spiritedness of Mr Harrison and his colleagues, Stephen Armitage, Gavin Richardson and Lee Agar and awarded them £300 each. He said: "But for their actions, he would surely have got away."

Paul Williams, in mitigation, said Cooper had shown remorse at the scene and concern for Miss Smith, and had taken responsibilty for his actions.

Cooper said another addict had nagged him to do a handbag snatch and pointed Miss Smith out - a claim disputed by the prosecution.

Judge Hoffman told Cooper: "Whether or not you were encouraged by another man to do this, is in my judgement irrelevant. You are 22 and a free agent."