A robber who raided a South Croydon bookies armed only with a tube of toothpaste has been jailed for four years.

Lloyd Wright, 38, went into the Brighton Road bookmakers at 9.15pm and threatened the staff with the toothpaste wrapped in a sock.

After assaulting an employee, he grabbed some money, and fled the shop.

But thanks to an off-duty policeman passing by, and quick-thinking members of the public, he was caught within minutes.

The following day, April 15, he pleaded guilty to armed robbery and today, he was sentenced at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to the armed robbery

Detective Sergeant Paul Bickley, from the Specialist Crime Directorate's Flying Squad at Tower Bridge, said: "This is an unusual case, but irrespective of the weapon used the experience of the victims is often traumatic and affects them long after the crime has been committed.

"This case demonstrates the Met working at its best, with uniformed officers and specialist units working together to identify suspects and gather evidence to convict offenders.

"The off-duty officer also demonstrated great dedication and bravery in chasing Wright, not knowing what weapon he was carrying."

The off-duty officer spotted Wright as he ran out of the shop, and followed him into Mansfield Road.

Wright ran into Selsdon Road and into a side alley, where he climbed over garden fences and lost the chasing officer.

However, members of the public had seen him climbing into their gardens and called the police.

Uniformed officers arrived and knocked on his door and when Wright answered, the off-duty officer identified him.

Wright was sweating heavily and told officers he had been exercising at home.

However, a search of his home found a white sports sock with a tube of toothpaste inside it, which exactly matched the description of the weapon used.

Officers from the Dog Unit also attended. They were able to track the route taken by the suspect as he had run up the alley, which led to the back door of Wright's home.