Two thugs who battered a factory worker in the street and robbed him of just 80p while dressed as a tiger and a red devil have been caged for three years.
Yobs Fred Dixon, 18, and David Aston-Brown, 20, pounced on Roger Brookes, 37, in the early hours of August 20.
Worcester Crown Court heard the pair shouted at Mr Brookes as he made his way to work at the Special Metals plant in Hereford before snatching his rucksack.
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Security cameras captured the thugs pouncing on the factory worker before punching him to the floor causing him to cut his head.
The court heard Dixon then put Mr Brookes in a head-lock so Aston-Brown could kick him in the chest.
After emptying their victim’s bag on the floor the fancy dress thugs made off with just 80p, a key ring and a work clocking-in card.
Caging the duo, both of Whitecross, Hereford, for three years each on Monday, Judge John Cavell said: “This was determined street violence on a complete stranger.
“You stole property that was almost trifling in its value, but caused serious harm to your victim.”
When police released CCTV images of the thugs back in August, it was originally thought they were dressed as cats.
But before they were sentenced it was revealed Dixon wore a tiger-print all-in-one suit, while Aston-Brown was dressed as a red devil.
Defending Dixon, Michael Aspinall said the men had got drunk, dressed up and gone out to “mess around.”
He added: “These were two heavily intoxicated young men had gone out, in Fred Dixon’s case in breach of a curfew, but not to commit offences.”
The court heard Dixon had previous convictions for battery, common assault, sexual assault, criminal damage and an attempted robbery.
While Aston-Brown had previous convictions for racially aggravated public disorder, battery against an ex-girlfriend and handling stolen goods.
Dixon had only been released from a youth detention centre less than two weeks before the incident.
Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Tim Powell from Hereford Police said: “The case was solved thanks to the media reports and members of the public coming forward to give information that led us to CCTV footage which positively identified the suspects, leaving them with no option but to plead guilty.”
Both men had pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing.
