A MAN out shopping with his wife helped catch a pickpocket who is now facing more than six months in jail.

Gary Mason, 27, was caught out when he picked the pocket of Norman Overstone, 69, in Haxby Shopping Centre, York magistrates heard.

The pensioner took £100 out of a cash dispenser and put it in his back pocket, Cathy Turnbull, prosecuting, said.

But Mason was watching him and as he approached a shop, the pensioner felt a hand in his pocket.

He reached behind him and grabbed the thief’s wrist.

Mason had the £100 in his hand and shouted out “It’s not yours, it’s mine, get off me, it’s mine.”

But Mr Ovenstone did not let go and the two men struggled while the pensioner’s wife shouted for help.

A woman shop assistant came out and Mr Ovenstone made Mason hand over the money.

Then the thief claimed: “It was going to fall out of your pocket. I was going to give it back.”

But police were called and Mason was arrested.

Both Mr Ovenstone and his wife were shaken by the incident which happened on June 28.

Mason, 27, of Minster Close, Wigginton, pleaded guilty to theft.

Magistrates decided the case was too serious for them to deal with and committed him for sentence to York Crown Court where the judge would be able to jail him for more than six months.

Steve Munro, defending, asked probation officers prepare a pre-sentence report on Mason, who, he said, had had a heroin addiction for ten years. He did not give any other mitigation after magistrates indicated the case would go before a judge.

Miss Turnbull said Mason told police after his arrest he had taken ten sleeping tablets and had a couple of cans of lager before going to the shopping centre.