A HEROIN addict who robbed a commuter in an alleyway has been given the chance to turn his life around.

Phillippe Tine, 34, was so desperate to buy drugs he pounced on Peter Tanton as he walked through an alleyway shortly after leaving Grays train station at 6pm on January 25.

Tine grabbed the terrified victim by his coat and told him he had a knife.

Mr Tanton dropped his bag containing a £250 iPod, before fleeing and alerting police.

At Basildon Crown Court Judge Michael Brooke QC sentenced Tine to a year in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete a 12-month drug rehabilitation scheme.

Judge Brooke said: "This defendant has now spent 150 days in custody. This is a case which cries out for a drug rehabilitation order and for him to continue the rehabilitation he has been doing while in prison."

Judge Brooke took into account the fact Tine had helped prison officers save the life of a fellow inmate while on remand. Tine held on to the legs of the prisoner, who was trying to commit suicide by hanging himself, and supported his weight so he would not be strangled by the noose around his neck.

Defending Tine, Yanick Fielding said Tine admitted the robbery when he was arrested near the scene and told officers he had left his home that day with a kitchen knife to go in search of a victim.

Mr Fielding also said his client was well educated and was remorseful and determined to overcome his heroin addiction.