A 77-year-old pensioner grabbed a house burglar and held on until police could arrest him.

Kenneth Craddock stood in front of Matthew Schramm as officers chased him.

He was knocked into the side of his home in Clerkshill Rise, Evesham, but saw the raider trying to get through a gate into his garden.

Have-a-go hero Mr Craddock then “courageously grabbed him round the waist” to stop him fleeing, said prosecutor Alex Warren.

Schramm, aged 29, of Farleigh Road, Pershore, pleaded guilty to burglary and assault by beating.

He also admitted 11 offences of burglary and theft to be taken into consideration after taking police on a tour of the area to clear up unsolved crimes.

Jailing him for three years at Worcester Crown Court, Recorder Jonathan Harvey said that unless Schramm changed his ways he could expect longer and longer terms of imprisonment.

He had been jailed three times for burglary and in 2004 got four years for two house raids.

On May 13 two tree fellers heard the sound of breaking glass and saw the defendant inside the burgled property.

They called police as Schramm jumped from an upstairs window. Minutes later Mr Craddock, who lived in a mobile home, saw what was happening and got involved. Mr Warren said the home owner and her two children were badly affected by the break-in.

Police recovered the stolen goods – which included a mobile phone and a camcorder.

Schramm had battled a long addiction to drugs and was high on them on the day of the crime, said Nick Roberts, defending.

Threats had been made against his family if he did not repay drug debts.

He could only remember trying to escape and was remorseful for his behaviour.

Mr Roberts said Schramm was becoming institutionalised and needed to make an effort to break away from drugs.