Robber jailed for 18 months for stealing pension from man, 75
A robber who picked an elderly man's pension from his pocket while he waited at a bus stop has been jailed for 18 months.
The 75-year-old has just collected his weekly pension from Caldmore Post Office in Walsall when drug addict Keith Reid pounced, stealing the £140.
Images from street cameras were played in court and the defendant was shown leaning against the victim before walking away with the cash.
But Reid, aged 47, of Wednesbury Road, was quickly identified by two women who were at the scene and recognised him.
Miss Alka Brigue, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that Reid had committed 81 previous offences. She said he was caught at a garage in nearby Wednesbury Road where he had spent £10 of the money on a mobile phone top-up.
The rest was recovered.
"The complainant was waiting at the bus stop and defendant is seen nearby. He taps the complaint on the shoulder, pushes him towards the glass and proceeds to feel his pocket. He puts his hand in his pocket and removes it.
"The victim asks him 'what do you think you're doing', but the defendant walks away," Miss Brigue said.
She said he had tested positive for cocaine and opiates following his arrest.
Mr Stephen Cadwaladr, defending, said Reid was now receiving treatment for his drug taking.
"He recognises that at his age he is getting too old to be stealing money for drugs," Mr Cadwaladr said.
Reid admitted an offence of robbery relating to the incident on February 3.
He was jailed for 18 months.
A further offence of possession of cocaine will lie of file after the court heard it was not in the interest of justice to proceed with that matter.
