Latest news with #RonCroker
BBC News
19-07-2025
- BBC News
Bravery award for man, 84, who fought off Maltby laundrette mugger
A pensioner who fought off a mugger with the help of a pair of jeans has been commended for his Croker was on his own at the Coin-Op Launderette in Maltby, Rotherham, on 7 January when a masked Lloyd Smith burst in and demanded his Croker, 84, wrapped a pair of jeans around his arm to protect him from any potential weapons and shoved Smith, 42, back through the week, Mr Croker was presented with a commendation for his "tremendous courage" in fighting off Smith, who has since been jailed for the attack. Mr Croker suffered bruises to his hands and arm but otherwise escaped without losing his wallet or any other previously told the BBC he had worked "all my life" for his money and decided Smith was "not having it". Rotherham District Commander Ch Supt Andy Wright said Mr Croker's actions had been "nothing short of remarkable"."We often talk about police officers running towards danger when others run away from it," he said."In this instance, Ron did neither. He stood his ground, fought for what is right and showed tremendous courage when it would have been easy not to."According to South Yorkshire Police, Smith was identified by members of the public after CCTV footage of the attack was of Myrtle Grove, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was jailed for three years and nine months at Sheffield Crown Court in June. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
17-06-2025
- BBC News
Jail for Maltby launderette robber fought off with pair of jeans
A man who tried to rob a pensioner at a launderette - but was fought off with a pair of jeans - has been Smith burst through the doors of the Coin-Op Launderette in Maltby, near Rotherham, on the morning of 7 January, where Ron Croker was drying his clothes.A masked Smith demanded Mr Croker hand over his wallet, but was shoved through the door by the 84-year-old, who had wrapped a pair of jeans around his arms to protect him from potential 42, of Myrtle Grove in Rotherham, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was jailed for three years and nine months at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday. According to South Yorkshire Police, Smith was identified by members of the public after CCTV footage of the attack was officers arrested him the following day, he denied having anything to do with the crime and claimed he was not the man in the footage. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Sheffield Crown Court on 7 Croker suffered bruises to his hands and arm but otherwise escaped without losing his wallet or any other previously told the BBC he had worked "all my life" for his money and decided Smith was "not having it".Det Insp Lucy Garside, of Rotherham CID, said: "Smith's actions were reprehensible, he tried to intimidate and rob a man twice his age, but has instead earned himself time behind bars."I would like to thank the members of the public who supported our investigation and helped to identify Smith, so that we could secure justice for his victim and also to the officer in charge of the investigation, Det Con Byne who worked diligently to build the case." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
