THE victim of a violent robbery chased after his attackers while bystanders called the police, a court heard.

When one of the assailants, Darren Lee McGreavy, 22, was arrested, police officers realised he was wanted for drug dealing in a York nightspot, but had skipped bail.

York Crown Court heard that McGreavy and an accomplice attempted to steal a man's rucksack as he walked in Heworth Green late at night. They had both been drinking.

During the struggle in October last year, the man fell to the ground and the two attackers kicked and punched him. He suffered cuts and bruises.

The two later told interviewers they had been out drinking and were "a bit loud and a bit blathered".

Once captured by police, officers realised that McGreavy, of Seventh Avenue, Tang Hall, had skipped bail in 2002 and was wanted for supplying ecstasy at a York nightspot.

Tim Stead, prosecuting, said officers had found 30 tablets in his pockets when they arrested him at Merlins nightclub in March 2002. Bouncers had spotted him acting "oddly" and were told he had drugs.

He told police he had "necked" five already and described them as "happy pills". He said he took up to 15 tablets a night. He was also carrying £150 cash.

Sentencing him to four years in prison, Judge Paul Hoffman told McGreavy that he had committed very serious offences.

McGreavy admitted robbery and possession of esctasy with intent to supply.

He said: "The first offence was a serious and significant quantity of ecstasy tablets some for you, admittedly, but the rest were destined to be sold.

"The robbery was protracted and determined and late at night. You also kicked and punched the victim. It was traumatic for him."

In mitigation, Paul Williams said his client had already changed his attitude since spending more than seven months on remand.

He said: "This period on remand has served as a wake-up call that he must change his behaviour and make more of his life."

He said the drugs were for himself or friends who used them, and added that the robbery was opportunistic and unplanned.

The court heard McGreavy had previous convictions for going equipped for burglary, burglary, possession of cannabis and breaching a community punishment order.

Updated: 10:34 Tuesday, May 31, 2005