Have-a-go-hero snares mugger with this snapshot

This is the moment a mugger was caught on camera by an off-duty paramedic who gave chase after the robber knocked an 81-year-old woman to the ground as he stole her handbag.

Greg Markham jumped in his van and pulled up alongside drug addict Graham Hartshorne, whistling to get his attention and then snapping him on his mobile phone.

Hartshorne fled, but undeterred Mr Markham saw him cut his leg on barbed wire and checked with hospitals to see if the criminal had been admitted.

A second have-a-go-hero suffered a major stroke when he chased the mugger.

Today Hartshorne, who had been released from custody shortly before the robbery, was in jail again after Mr Markham showed the photograph to police, who recognised the criminal.

The drama began when 25-year-old Hartshorne approached 81-year-old Mavis Smith, knocking her down as he grabbed her handbag in Church Street, Oxley, Wolverhampton.

The 5ft-tall victim, who had just been to church, escaped serious injury.

Witneses saw Hartshorne flee behind a house, emerging after taking his shirt off and then throwing the handbag under a parked car.

Michael Stroud chased Hartshorne but became short of breath and suffered a massive stroke. He was today still said to be very ill.

Mr Markham got into his van to pursue Hartshorne and took the picture.

Police spokeswoman Sarah Astbury said Hartshorne jumped over a fence into the Goodyear site off Stafford Road and escaped. Mr Markham realising the robber had cut his leg on barbed wire and rang local hospitals.

Hartshorne was arrested days after the daylight robbery on August 8.

Mr Markham and Mr Stroud were awarded £250 and praised by Judge Nicholas Webb, who jailed the robber for three years and nine months at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Hartshorne, of Elston Hall Lane, Fordhouses, had claimed the man on the photo was fatter than him but later admitted robbery.