Laundry robber 'to write apology letter' to victim

A would-be robber who ran away after a pensioner fought him off with a pair of jeans has been told prison is "inevitable" during an appearance at court.

Lloyd Smith, 42, went into the Coin-Op Launderette in Maltby, near Rotherham, on the morning of 7 January, and demanded money from 84-year-old customer Ron Croker.

Mr Croker used a folded pair of jeans to push Smith back, with the masked assailant being arrested a short time later.

At Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, Smith pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was told he should expect to be jailed at a sentencing hearing on 16 April.

Mr Croker was finishing his laundry when Smith burst through the door, CCTV from the laundrette showed.

"I was at the dryer putting my coins in when he smashed his way in and shouted 'give me your wallet'," Mr Croker said at the time.

CCTV footage captured within the launderette shows the moment Ron Croker fought off the attacker

Worried Smith could be armed, a scuffle saw Mr Croker push him back towards the door using a pair of freshly-laundered jeans, before Smith ran away from the area.

"I gave him an almighty shove and he went rolling into the road."

Ron Croker said he was "overwhelmed" by the cards of support he had been sent since the incident

Mr Croker sustained bruises to his hands and arm in the incident but otherwise escaped without losing his wallet or any other items.

Appearing on a video link from HMP Doncaster, Smith was told by Recorder Mark Cooper a prison sentence would be "inevitable".

Smith's defence barrister told the virtual hearing the defendant would like to write a letter of apology to Mr Croker.

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