A drug addict has been jailed for five years after he mugged a pensioner as he lay on the ground in agony.

Raymond Womesley, 69, who was on his way home after a night out, suffered a dislocated shoulder when he was knocked to the ground by 33-year-old Vladimir Vysockis close to St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford.

Vysockis, who wore a balaclava as he followed his target through the streets, continued with the robbery despite Mr Womesley’s pain and rifled his pockets before running off with £440 in cash and a mobile phone.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday how Vysockis fled the scene after being disturbed by a passing car, but prosecutor Ewan McLachlan said the occupants of the vehicle gave chase.

Adil Yaqub was able to retrieve the discarded balaclava which was later found to have Vysockis’s DNA on it.

Mr McLachlan said after the defendant got away the men returned to Mr Womesley and when they rang for an ambulance they were told it would take 20 to 30 minutes. The court heard the men decided that was too long and took the victim to Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said Mr Yaqub and his friend deserved the highest commendation.

“It was the handing over of the balaclava that provided the clear DNA match,” the judge told Vysockis through an interpreter.

Mr Yaqub will now receive a reward of £250 for his actions.

Lawyer Michael Reeves, for father-of-two Lithuanian Vysockis, said he had been in this country for 11 years and on the night of the attack in March he was in the grip of heroin and crack cocaine addiction.

Mr Reeves said his client, who has no fixed abode, owed a significant amount to drug dealers and had been threatened with a firearm.

“It was to some extent the act of desperate man,” said Mr Reeves.

“He understands now that his behaviour was unacceptable. He says he didn’t know the victim was elderly and he does wish through me to apologise for his actions.”

But Judge Durham Hall said the area where the attack took place was extremely well lit and Vysockis had chosen a vulnerable target.

He said: “The victim was in agony which would also have been apparent to you, but you, nevertheless, persisted in rifling this man’s pockets taking a mobile phone and cash to the value of £440.”

The court heard that Vysockis had previous convictions dating back to 2006 including theft from the person, burglary and shoplifting.