A ROBBER who took cash from a man he knocked to the ground was jailed for three years and 11 months yesterday.

Kane Bainbridge had been a heroin addict when he attacked the man, who had just been to withdraw money from a cash machine, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Bainbridge, 24, of Keswick Drive, Spennymoor, admitted robbery and a separate offence of shoplifting. He asked for another similar offence to be taken into consideration.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said that, as the man was walking home, he heard footsteps behind him. He felt arms go round his neck and was forced to the ground. Bainbridge asked for money and the man took out his wallet.

Bainbridge took money out of the wallet and dropped it, throwing £20 back at the man, said Mr Baker.

Defending, Christopher Dorman O'Gowan said that since Bainbridge has been in custody he had not had drugs and was hoping to move to an area where drugs were not readily available. He was sorry for what he had done.