Man who used fake gun in robbery is jailed

Mitchell Rudkin was heard shouting "give me the money" several times, police said

A man who tackled a woman to the ground while armed with an imitation gun before robbing her bag has been jailed for five years.

Mitchell Rudkin was wearing an anorak and balaclava when he ran towards the victim as she got out of a taxi in a residential part of Southend-on-Sea on 13 May.

Police said he shouted "give me the money" several times and tackled her to the ground.

The 51-year-old, who lived in Maldon Road in Southend-on-Sea, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday.

The taxi driver and another member of the public guided armed officers to an address where Rudkin and the imitation firearm were found.

He was arrested within two hours of the incident.

Det Con Sam Pettit said: "The swift identification and arrest was made possible because of the public-spirited men who observed Rudkin entering his home."

The victim was left "extremely shaken" and sustained several injuries because of the unprovoked attack, he said.