Knife-wielding wannabe robber thwarted by a brave pensioner

QUICK-THINKING 77-YEAR-OLD OUTWITTED CRIMINAL

- By MARK NAYLOR [e-mail] @GTMarkNaylor

A BRAVE and quick-thinking 77-year-old man managed to outwit a menacing, knife-wielding drug addict who suddenly confronted him in the street at night and demanded cash.

The pensioner was scared but he quickly tried to talk his way out of trouble by offering to go to a cash-point machine and withdraw some cash. He used the ruse to run off and go into a shop to summon help. The would-be robber gave up and walked off but he was later identified on CCTV pictures from distinctive trainers that he had been wearing, Hull Crown Court heard.

Jonathan Delasaux, 50, of no fixed address, but recently in custody on remand, admitted offences of attempted robbery and possessing a blade on November 7. He originally denied the matters but he changed his pleas.

Harry Bradford, prosecuting, said that the pensioner was walking from his home in Hull to a shop. He arrived at 9.50pm, bought some items and walked along New Bridge Road to Middleburg Street.

He was approached by a man - Delasaux - who seemed dazed and potentially intoxicated. Delasaux asked for money and the pensioner told him that he did not have any and tried to walk away.