A Bromley pavement was awash with money as two men fought over a bag containing £600 in cash.

Ansu Jabatie, aged 22, who escaped with £300 after the bag broke, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to robbery.

Croydon Crown Court heard Jabatie, of Halstead Walk, Maidstone, was following Mark Chicken along London Road, Bromley, on February 19. Mr Chicken was returning to his office after cashing a cheque and had the money in an envelope inside a plastic bag.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor said Mr Chicken heard a shout and felt someone trying to grab the bag. Mr Chicken kept hold of it, fell to the floor and Jabatie shouted at him to let go. As Mr Chicken tried to get up, the bag broke and the cash fell out.

Jabatie took what he could and ran off. The court heard he was later caught with £300 in notes.

Ian Henderson, representing Jabatie, said his client was depressed and added: “Everything about his background suggests a law-abiding citizen.”