Shropshire have-a-go hero chased and pinned knifepoint robber to ground

Courageous Travis Fletcher- Greenwood was walking through Whitchurch town centre when he was alerted by cries for help coming from the Apparel store in Green End.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday how he chased and grabbed addict Karl Armstrong but was forced to let go after Armstrong pulled out a knife and cut his hand.

He later received seven stitches at Whitchurch Hospital, the court heard.

Armstrong, 44, was later arrested by police who identified him using DNA taken from Mr Fletcher-Greenwood's jacket.

Judge Peter Barrie commended Mr Fletcher-Greenwood for his bravery.

He said: "Mr Fletcher-Greenwood was alerted by the shopkeeper's cries for help and courageously tried to help."

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, told how Armstrong pulled a knife on 65-year-old shopkeeper Diane Molton and demanded money.

He said: "He follows her to the till and says 'give me the money'.

"She can see a knife in his hand and went to reach for the emergency alarm – he said 'do not do that'. She said she feared for her life."

Mr Jones said Mrs Molton then ran out into the street shouting for help.

The court heard how Armstrong, of Birkenhead, Merseyside, is already serving a nine-year sentence for knife robberies at off licences in the Wirral.

Armstrong, who admitted attempted robbery and assault at an earlier hearing, was jailed for four years. The sentence is to run concurrently.