A Thamesmead man has been jailed after robbing an 82-year-old man of £1,500 cash by dragging him off a Plumstead bus and along the ground.

John O'Rourke, 41, of Lytham Close, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery. He will be on extended licence for five years.

The victim, who died two months later, was targeted after he boarded the route 53 bus towards Plumstead at Woolwich New Road on September 9 last year.

He was seated on the lower deck when O’Rourke, who had got on the bus at the same time, came behind him and tried to steal his wallet from his shirt pocket.

The pensioner struggled and O’Rourke dragged him off the bus and on to the ground – telling members of the public he was actually helping the victim.

He then hauled the elderly man into Waverley Crescent, Plumstead, and mugged him before leaving him on the floor.

O’Rourke was tracked after Greenwich PCSO Pan Psarias recognised him from CCTV footage at the scene.

Detective Constable Stephanie Walker, of Greenwich police, said: "O'Rourke targeted a vulnerable, frail man and did not care about the hurt or fright he caused him.

“He subjected the victim to a prolonged attack and did not stop until he finally stole his cash.

“Sadly the victim died just two months later and whilst there are no links between his death and the robbery, I have witnessed first-hand the damage caused by this crime and how it affected the victim's confidence."