A judge awarded a have-a-go hero £500 to thank him for rugby tackling a drug-crazed mugger.
Judge Frank Lockhart announced at Southend Court on Friday that John Harris deserved the generous award for his bravery in the ordeal.
The judge had just sentenced Duncan Simpson, 25, of Daimler Road, Ipswich, to five years in prison.
One of the offences Simpson was jailed for was mugging Beverley Sefianos, 45, in Southchurch Road, Southend, on November 24 last year.
John Butcher, prosecuting, said Simpson tripped the woman from behind and grabbed her shoulder bag.
He added: "John Harris saw the defendant making off with the bag. He pursued him and brought him down at the waist. The bag was recovered and he held on to Simpson for some time."
No one helped Mr Harris keep Simpson pinned down and he eventually had to let him go because of exhaustion.
The police tracked down the defendant soon after.
Judge Lockhart said: "I think I should commend Mr John Harris for his very brave actions and to that end I'm going to ask that he be given a reward of £500."
Simpson admitted mugging Mrs Sefianos and another robbery this January in Ipswich.
Published Tuesday June 1, 2004
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