A man who attacked his 70-year-old victim with a knife and robbed him as he prepared to leave for a trip abroad has been jailed for six years.

John Hammond, 49, of Shepeshall, Basildon, was sentenced for robbery at Basildon Crown Court today after pleading guilty at the same court on Friday, October 13.

At around 6am on Wednesday, June 28, a man was loading his car in Elizabeth Way, Basildon, when he spotted Hammond hiding behind a parked car.

Hammond, who was wearing a balaclava, tackled the victim to the floor and hit him in the face with the butt of the knife.

During the attack, the victim managed to protect himself with a rucksack and pulled Hammond’s balaclava off.

Hammond ran off with the rucksack, which contained a three-figure sum of cash, but left his balaclava behind. Police were able to get DNA off the balaclava and Hammond was arrested on Wednesday, July 19.

Investigating officer Pc Oliver Fraser said: “This was a terrifying and targeted attack on an elderly man who was about to drive to catch a coach travelling into Europe.

“Hammond used excessive force to overpower the victim, who suffered many blows to the face and knife wounds to his hands and neck. The attack has left the victim needing two hospital visits and has left both physical and emotional scars.

“I would like to praise the victim for his courage, not only for fighting of his attacker but for bravely helping us with our investigations and even attending court.

“Hammond has never shown and remorse for his actions and will now be locked in a prison cell.”