A MUGGER is starting a two year jail sentence for punching a man to the ground and stealing £20 he had just withdrawn from a cashpoint.

Christopher Docherty rifled through the pockets of his victim, Michael Clayton, after the attack in Stockton town centre on March 13.

His frightening ordeal has left Mr Clayton worried it could happen again whenever he leaves his home, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Docherty, 23, of Camden Street, Stockton, confessed when he was arrested, but claimed he was owed the money.

Andrew Turton, mitigating, said: "It is clear he is ashamed, regrets the incident and is remorseful . . . it is his wish to become fully drug-free and remain so in the future.

"At the time, he was homeless, drug-addicted and quite clearly, perhaps, disinhibited.

He had taken heroin before the offence took place."

Docherty admitted robbery.