A JUDGE has praised a mugging victim who bravely fought off a would-be robber and left him battered and bleeding.
Glen McCarthy was attacked in the street by Graham Edmond, who demanded £3 from him and punched him in the jaw.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the 25-year-old refused to hand over any cash and threw punches of his own - which sent the attacker off empty handed and bleeding from the face.
Judge Guy Whitburn today jailed Edmond, 30, of Whitehall Street, South Shields, who pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob, for 16 and a half months.
The judge said: “The victim behaved absolutely properly.
“It was as well he was a young man, and a vigorous young man, and this man got what he deserved.
“The victim was fearful he did not do the right thing. He did absolutely the right thing.
“If you are attacked you are entitled to use as much force as is reasonable and clearly that is exactly what the victim did.
“I compliment him on his vigour.”
The court heard Mr McCarthy encountered Edmond as he walked along the rear of Boldon Lane in South Shields last November 14.
The court heard Edmond, who has convictions for 39 previous offences, has an alcohol problem and is coping with the death of his partner, who was the mother of his two children.