Career burglar Steven Wells, who was challenged by an 87-year-old woman as he rifled through a jewellery box in her bedroom, pushed her roughly against a chest of drawers before running out of the house, a Crown Court heard this week.
A public-spirited response by two men led to 42-year-old Wells being caught as he fled on a bicycle.
Prosecutor Philip Lee said that as Ian Cardew walked past the property in Torpoint he was suspicious on seeing a man enter the house.
He paused, saw him emerge and ride off and then flagged down motorist Steve Spurrell. Together they gave chase, stopped Wells and detained him until the police arrived.
Judge Graham Cottle praised their efforts and awarded them £250 each out of public funds.
Wells, a £40-a-day heroin addict who was living in a hostel in Plymouth at the time, pleaded guilty to the burglary.
Describing Wells as a career burglar with numerous previous convictions including ten for burglaries, Judge Cottle, sitting at Truro, told him: 'It is clear the public deserve a longer than usual rest from your activities.' Wells was jailed for five years.
Mr Lee said that it was during the morning that the woman left the kitchen door open while she went to hang out her washing.
When she returned indoors and heard a noise she shouted, thinking her husband had returned from his walk, then went upstairs to investigate. She saw a strange man in her bedroom and shouted at him – 'I think I frightened him as much as he frightened me,' she said afterwards. Wells shoved her as he ran from the room. The woman went after him and shouted: 'He has been in and robbed my house', said Mr Lee.
'She was shocked and shaken. Meanwhile Mr Cardew and Mr Spurrell gave chase.'
Judge Cottle pointed out: 'He would have got away but for the actions of these men. That was very public-spirited on their part. it deserves to be acknowledged, the public should be extremely grateful there are people who are prepared to step in and do something. They should be awarded £250 apiece out of the public purse.'
Mr Lee said that when Wells was confronted he replied: 'OK, I am not going anywhere' and there was no struggle.