A robber who punched a man in the face and stole more than £1,200 from him because he needed money to pay for his partner’s IVF treatment, has been sent to prison for three years.

Aaron Pitt from Leamore in Walsall punched his victim during the attack, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Mr Tariq Shakoor, prosecuting, said the victim was carrying a bag containing the money to his bank when 30-year-old Pitt suddenly pounced and tried to pull it from his hand.

The bag ripped and some of the money fell to the ground Pitt punched the man in the face.

Miss Samantha Powis, defending, said the defendant and his partner had little money and they were desperate for cash to pay for the course of IVF treatment.

She told the court that although Pitt had a bad criminal record it was the first time he had ever carried out a robbery.

She said: “He now wants to come out of prison and save up enough money for the one course of treatment they can afford.”

Pitt pleaded guilty to robbery. Judge Robin Onions told Pitt, of Providence Close: “This man crossed your path and you succumbed to temptation.

“This was a serious offence involving violence.”

The judge said it was accepted Mr Thomas had not been targeted by Pitt and that it was a “spontaneous” crime but he added,

“There is no doubt it must have been a most unpleasant experience.”