WHEN the boss and founder of a local football club found a sneak thief going through his players' clothes in the changing rooms he didn't hesitate.

Estate agent Andrew Morris grabbed the man and held on. But, Hereford Magistrates Court heard, the thief fought back against Mr Morris' attempt at a citizen's arrest.

Former goalkeeper Mr Morris got to grips with Christopher Griffiths at Westfields FC clubhouse, allpay.park, Widemarsh Common, Hereford and players pitched in to pin Griffiths down until the Police arrived.

Griffiths, 22, of Market Close, Ross-on-Wye, admitted burglary, theft from a motor vehicle and assault with intent to resist arrest. Magistrates made him the subject of a 12-month drug treatment and testing order, having heard of his long fight against the heroin addiction that drove his offending.

Ros Caldicot, defending, said Griffiths was an 'articulate, educated young man who should be destined for better things'.

The court heard Griffiths could only remember being grabbed in a headlock during the incident last month. He was drunk, had taken drugs and was on early release licence from prison at the time.

Sally Badham, prosecuting, said Mr Morris - chief executive of Westfields FC - challenged Griffiths as he went through clothes in the club changing room on a training night.

During the struggle Mr Morris was bitten on the thumb: players and coaching staff came running when they heard his calls for help.

Police found a stolen wallet stuffed down Griffiths' trousers and later found a mobile phone, missing from the changing room, in their car, said Ms Badham.

Griffiths also had a set of keys, a pair of gloves and some prescription pills he had taken from a car parked near the ground, she said.

Chair of Bench, Gillian Sevenoaks, told Griffiths the sentence was 'another chance' and came with stringent conditions such as a twice-weekly drug test, monthly reviews of his case by the court and full supervision by the probation service.

The Bench made no orders for compensation or costs.

Speaking after the case, Mr Morris said his 10 minutes of 'one-on-one' with Griffiths felt like the full 90 - with extra time.

He hoped Griffiths made the most of the chance that the court had given him.