A DRUG addict who held up a Hereford building society with a plastic coat hanger disguised as a gun has been jailed for six years.

Sean Jennings terrified two counter staff and escaped with £2,410 but tripped over on the pavement outside, sending notes flying into the air.

Quick-thinking passer-by Stuart Seddon told him he had dropped the cash - then as Jennings bent down, punched him in the face and pinned him to the ground.

Three policemen alerted to the scene at the Portman in St Owen's Street arrested the 26-year-old who was desperate for cash to fund his habit.

Judge Michael Mott told Jennings, of Mayberry Avenue, Hereford, a heavy sentence was vital as a deterrent.

At Worcester Crown Court last week, he commended Mr Seddon for his bravery and awarded him £250 from public funds.

Jennings pleaded guilty to robbery on October 1 last year and possession of an imitation firearm. He asked for 23 offences of deception and theft to be taken into consideration.

Prosecutor Nigel Reader said Jennings walked into the Portman with his arm straight out holding the hanger wrapped in a plastic bag.

From till

He yelled at Mrs Ann Cann he had a gun and ordered her to hand over money from her till. She later told police: "I really thought he was going to shoot me."

Her colleague Mrs Philippa Patterson was so scared for Mrs Cann she put £1,000 on to the counter.

Jennings vaulted over it and grabbed more money, stuffing the notes in a bag. But he was caught after shouting attracted Mr Seddon to the scene and he waded in.

The defendant also stole a credit card and used it in stores and garages to obtain goods worth up to £50 a time, said Mr Reader.

Defence counsel Dele Alakija said Jennings had missed a doctor's appointment for medication, got depressed and became frantic to get more drugs.

He hoped the robbery victims would find some solace from letters of apology Jennings had written them.

As a boy, Jennings was regularly beaten with a snooker cue by his father, now serving a life sentence for killing a woman, said Mr Alakija.

Jennings had previous convictions for violent disorder, burglary, handling stolen goods and criminal damage.