A huge thug violently punched a 60-year-old man in the face in an attempt to rob him at a railway station.
Lance Hughes, who was on probation, followed the victim up the stairs towards the ticket machine at Chester Road Railway Station in Birmingham in August last year.
Hughes attempted to engage with the man before trying to grab a bag from his shoulder, a court heard.
He then dragged the victim towards the stairs and tried to wrestle the bag from his grasp.
Disturbing CCTV footage shows Hughes holding the man in a headlock and then brutally punching him in the face while two women watched in horror.
The brave victim managed to keep hold of his belongings and Hughes fled the station empty-handed.
Hughes failed to disguise himself from CCTV cameras by placing his coat over his head and was later identified by officers.
British Transport Police discovered he had only recently been released from prison and was under probation.
Hughes attempted to engage with the man before trying to grab a bag from his shoulder, a court heard
Lance Hughes, who was on probation, followed the victim up the stairs towards the ticket machine at Chester Road Railway Station in Birmingham in August last year
Officers waited outside the probation office for him to come out after his appointment and he was caught despite trying to flee on foot
The brave victim managed to keep hold of his belongings and Hughes fled the station empty-handed
Officers waited outside the probation office for him to come out after his appointment and he was caught despite trying to flee on foot.
The force said Hughes showed no remorse for his actions nor offered any apology or explanation during his police interview.
Hughes pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was jailed for four years and four months on August 8.
He was also ordered to pay a court surcharge of £228 at Birmingham Crown Court.
BTP Detective Constable Genna Chambers said: ‘In attempting to rob someone in full view of CCTV cameras while on probation, Hughes acted with a shocking degree of audacity and stupidity, so I’m extremely pleased with the result in this case.
‘In the end, all Hughes benefitted from his attempt is an extended stay in prison.
‘I hope that it provides him ample opportunity to think on his actions, and serves as a warning to anyone who thinks about robbing others on the railway network.’
