A POOL table "bandit" targeted three pubs for easy cash but was caught when a suspicious landlord tipped off police.

Adrian Broadway and a friend struck first at the Duke William at Rock, near Bewdley, said Mr Pardeep Tiwana, prosecuting at Hereford Crown Court.

They were seen at the pool table, but when they left landlord Anthony Costello found the game's cash box containing £100 had been taken.

At the Bell Inn in Cleobury Mortimer, the landlord heard the cash box mechanism on the pool table being tampered with but nothing was taken.

The pair went on to the Old Lion in Cleobury but the landlord had been alerted by his colleague at the Bell and watched them carefully. They realised this and as they went to drive away, they were arrested.

Police found several sums of coin in the car as well has a bent kitchen knife. The second man had been charged and was awaiting a court appearance.

Broadway, of Quarry House, Cookhill Lane, Rubery, who pleaded guilty to theft, attempted theft and failing to answer to bail, was jailed for nine months.

He was ordered to pay £130 costs and £100 compensation to Mr Costello from the money which had been seized from the car.

Miss Tracey Lloyd-Nestling, defending, said Broadway and his pregnant wife hoped to start a new life in Ireland when he was released. He wanted to resume his trade as a butcher and escape from the drug scene.