Launderette robber fought off with jeans jailed

A man who tried to rob a pensioner at a launderette - but was fought off with a pair of jeans - has been jailed.

Lloyd Smith burst through the doors of the Coin-Op Launderette in Maltby, near Rotherham, on the morning of 7 January, where Ron Croker was drying his clothes.

A masked Smith demanded Mr Croker hand over his wallet, but was shoved through the door by the 84-year-old, who had wrapped a pair of jeans around his arms to protect him from potential weapons.

Smith, 42, of Myrtle Grove in Rotherham, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was jailed for three years and nine months at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.

According to South Yorkshire Police, Smith was identified by members of the public after CCTV footage of the attack was publicised.

When officers arrested him the following day, he denied having anything to do with the crime and claimed he was not the man in the footage.

He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Sheffield Crown Court on 7 February.

Mr Croker suffered bruises to his hands and arm but otherwise escaped without losing his wallet or any other items.

He previously told the BBC he had worked "all my life" for his money and decided Smith was "not having it".

Det Insp Lucy Garside, of Rotherham CID, said: "Smith's actions were reprehensible, he tried to intimidate and rob a man twice his age, but has instead earned himself time behind bars.

"I would like to thank the members of the public who supported our investigation and helped to identify Smith, so that we could secure justice for his victim and also to the officer in charge of the investigation, Det Con Byne who worked diligently to build the case."

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