A MAN who attacked a 70-year-old with a knife and robbed him as he prepared to leave for a holiday has been jailed for six years.

John Hammond, 49, of Shepeshall, Basildon targeted his victim as he was loading his car in Elizabeth Way, in Basildon, at about 6am.

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

At around 6am on Wednesday, June 28 2017, a man was loading his car in Elizabeth Way, Basildon.

While performing this task, he spotted Hammond hiding behind a parked car wearing a balaclava.

This mysterious, balaclava-cladded, man was Hammond.

Hammond then 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 then pulled Hammond’s balaclava off.

Hammond ran off with the rucksack, which contained more than a hundred pounds of cash, but left his balaclava behind as he made his escape on June 28 last year.

The victim, who was about to catch a coach travelling to mainland Europe, suffered blows to the face and knife wounds to his hands and neck.

Following this incident, a police investigation was launched.

Officers were able to get DNA off the balaclava which had been pulled off Hammond’s head and he was arrested on Wednesday, July 1.

Hammond, 49, of Shepeshall, Basildon, was sentenced for robbery at Basildon Crown Court on Friday after admitting the charges at the same court on Friday, October 13.

Investigating officer, PC Oliver Fraser, praised the bravery of the victim in what he called a “terrifying attack”.

He said: “Hammond used excessive force to overpower the victim, who suffered many blows to the face and knife wounds to his hands and neck.

“This was a terrifying and targeted attack on an elderly man who was about to drive to catch a coach travelling into Europe.

“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.”

on Wednesday, June 28 2017