Soldier halted shop robber

The court heard the raider fractured his kneecap during a chase

A Devon soldier who chased and trapped a shop raider has been given a £200 reward by a court.

Lance Corporal Adam Hughes was commended for his actions by Recorder Philip Mott QC at Exeter Crown Court.

The judge said the soldier, a member of the army recruiting team at Exeter's Wyvern Barracks, had acted not knowing whether or not the raider was armed.

The soldier, who has served in Northern Ireland, was praised after the raider, 28-year-old Ashley Williams, had been sentenced to three-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Williams, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to robbery.

He went after the defendant and challenged him to stop, and ran after him when he did not

Ann Reddrop, prosecutor

Prosecutor Ann Reddrop said Williams grabbed the clothing of a checkout assistant at the Costcutter store in the city's Sidwell Street and demanded cash from the till.

After Williams made off with £330 and two bags of shopping, Lance Corporal Hughes, who was delivering documents to an army recruiting office, heard the shop alarm.

He also saw someone hurrying past with two bags of shopping and, after inquiring at the shop, realised the person was connected with the incident.

"He went after the defendant and challenged him to stop, and ran after him when he did not," said the prosecutor.

During the chase, Williams climbed a roof and jumped down, fracturing a kneecap, followed by the soldier, who then prevented him getting away.

The prosecutor said Williams told the police he was a heroin addict and had needed the money for drugs.