A DRUG ADDICT who killed a York pensioner during a daylight street robbery was today jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Four public-spirited office workers who chased and caught the attacker, 22-year-old Wayne Kenneth Cooper, are to get a £300 award each.

York Crown Court heard that Cooper targeted "brave" Eileen Smith, 72, as she walked along Hebden Rise, Acomb, to a hairdresser's appointment on the afternoon of August 27.

Jeremy Richardson QC, prosecuting, said he came up behind her and yanked her handbag off her shoulder with such force that she fell to the ground and was fatally injured.

But as he walked casually across York Road a few minutes later, eyewitness Paul Harrison and three colleagues from railway signalling company TICS spotted him, gave chase and grabbed him.

Police have warned other drug addicts to think again about snatching handbags from vulnerable people or they could have a death on their conscience.

"This was a robbery that went badly wrong," Mr Richardson said.

"This is just the sort of thing that can happen when the elderly are targeted in a robbery."

When Cooper, of Danesfort Avenue, Acomb, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and robbery, the prosecution dropped a murder charge against him.

The Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, said: "She resisted bravely, but you pulled forcibly, forcefully and persistently, and it was in those circumstances inevitable she was going to fall."

He commended the public spiritedness of Mr Harrison and his colleagues Stephen Armitage, Gavin Richardson and Lee Agar.

"But for their actions, he would surely have got away."

He awarded each of them a £300 award.

Detective Inspector Alan Carey of York Police said outside court: "Robberies are prevalent in York at the moment, particularly against elderly people and I hope this sends a message, particularly to drug addicts.

"This type of crime will be dealt with in the appropriate way. As we have seen today, the consequences can be tragic."

Mr Richardson said Cooper was leaning on a wall near the old Regent cinema in York Road when he saw Miss Smith.

He came up behind her and grabbed at her bag with both hands. When she resisted, he pulled harder.

After her fall, he ran off behind the cinema, and when he emerged on a nearby pedestrian crossing over York Road, he was walking casually. But the four railway employees spotted him.

For Cooper, Paul Williams said he had shown remorse at the scene and concern for Miss Smith.

"It was to be a quick snatch and quick escape," he said.

But when he was caught, he had fully co-operated. He had also accepted full responsibility for his actions.

Cooper claimed that another drug addict had nagged him to do a handbag snatch and pointed Miss Smith out to him. This was disputed by the prosecution.

Judge Hoffman told Cooper: "Whether or not you were encouraged by another man to do this, is in my judgement irrelevant. You are 22 and a free agent."

DI Carey welcomed the £300 awards, saying the actions of the four railway employees were "tremendous".

We didn't know if he had a knife

THE men who leaped into action as Wayne Cooper tried to flee today said they were pleased justice had been done - but played down their part in the incident.

TICS workers Paul Harrison, Stephen Armitage, Gavin Richardson and Lee Agar rushed out of their office in Acomb Road when Mr Harrison spotted the attack taking place.

While Mr Agar tended to Miss Smith, his three colleagues chased Cooper, bringing him to the ground and ensuring that he was arrested.

Office manager Mr Armitage, 41, said: "It was an instant reaction, there was no thought involved. Paul witnessed him grappling with the woman and we immediately ran outside to chase him.

"We were outraged at what he had done and thought that if we didn't do something, he would just get away.

"The main reason for catching him was to make sure he paid his dues, and it looks like he's going to."

Mr Richardson, 33, said: "It was a sickening thing. It was disgusting, and anyone would have done what we did if they had seen it.

"To see an old lady lying on her face on the floor like that, we just had to do something.

"It was a split second reaction. If we hadn't bothered to go after him, he would've got away.

"I'm pleased that he's paying the price for his crime."

Mr Agar, 32, said: "It is nice to be recognised by the judge, but obviously that's not why we did what we did. It was a series of events that happened so quickly, but we all thought we just had to do something. We didn't have time to reflect on whether or not he had a knife.

"I was hoping he (Cooper) would get a bit longer, but maybe this will be a sobering thought for him, and hopefully he won't waste the rest of his life."

Updated: 14:19 Friday, December 19, 2003