A terrified man who had tried to seal a wallet was held in a headlock by a bearded biker after he was caught trying to pickpocket a war veteran selling poppies.
Steven Norman, 43, was spotted trying to swipe a wallet from a pensioner who was collecting for the Royal British Legion on Saturday.
But he got more than he bargained for when a group of bikers caught him red-handed and restrained him in a headlock until police arrived.
The dramatic citizen’s arrest took place in Stafford town centre and was posted on Facebook live.
Former RAF serviceman Martin Burrows, 54, filmed Norman being overpowered by members of the Oxleather Motorcycle Club.
Mr Burrows, a lorry driver from Stafford, said: “The Oxleather Motorcycling Club from Stafford attend the square annually around Remembrance Sunday.
“They turn up with their motorbikes and collect on behalf of Staffordshire Poppy Appeal. Majority of them are ex-army, but they are from all walks of life.
“Us ex-servicemen turn up in uniform and people have a look at the bikes and put money in and go on their merry way.
“The victim is well known in the area and within the Poppy Appeal.
“He dishes out the boxes of poppies to the shops in Staffordshire. He's an Irishman very, very funny, very good sense of humour.
“He dresses the same with a big bearskin hat on."
He added: All of a sudden we hear a shout from a girl shouting, 'stop, thief!'
“He turned and ran in the wrong direction, straight into the Oxleather Motorcycle Club which probably wasn’t the cleverest escape plan.
“As shown in the video, they grabbed hold of him. I originally went up to him and gave him some home truths about what he's done and reflect on it.
“I am in full uniform, beret, medals on, the lot.
“He started accusing the lads of assault."
He said: “I took the video to protect the lads really. I wanted to make it aware that if there are any more veterans within Staffordshire that might need help ringing the police.”
Norman, of no fixed address, was charged with attempted theft which he admitted after appearing at the town’s magistrates’ court on Monday.
He was fined £80, ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge and pay £135 court costs.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "We’d like to update our local community regarding an incident that took place in Stafford Town Centre yesterday, whereby an attempted theft was witnessed by members of the public who intervened.
"Steven Norman, 43, was charged with attempted theft and remanded in police custody. He appeared at magistrates court on Monday morning.
"We’re grateful to all who assisted with the investigation.”
