Terror as man 'with fake gun in balaclava lay in wait for woman by her home before pouncing'

A woman was left terrified after a total stranger in a balaclava and armed with an imitation firearm lay in wait for her outside her home before shouting he was an armed police officer and rugby tackling her to steal her handbag, a court heard.

Mitchell Rudkin, 51, from (Maldon Road) Southend, Essex, is charged with one count of robbery and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm following the attack that the court heard has left the local community in shock.

Southend Magistrates' Court heard on May 15 2025 that the woman had returned to her home in the city in a taxi, when a man in a balaclava suddenly appeared and ran at her before rugby tackling her and taking her handbag.

It happened in the Wimborne Road area of the city at 3.45pm on Tuesday, May 13.

The court heard there are two charges in connection with the immitation firearm as it was also allegedly pointed towards the taxi driver during the incident.

Prosecuting, Rebecca Debenham, said: "He was laying in wait at the home of the complainant, who was not known to him, as she was dropped at her home by a taxi.

"He ran at her posing as an armed police officer with an imitation firearm. He rugby tackled her and took her bag from her."

Rudkin is alleged to have then gone to a local betting shop where he changed his clothes before returning home, the court heard.

Ms Debenham added: "Once at home he was arrested as witnesses had followed him to the betting shop and then on to his home.

"He was wearing a balaclava which added to the fear of the complainant.

"There is a great amount of fear in the local community because of this offence and neighbours are concerned about Mr Rudkin turning up."

Essex Police previously reported that armed police officers carried out the arrest at his home.

During a search of the home, officers located a small firearm, now confirmed to be a BB gun, the force said.

A handbag was also recovered.

Detective Sergeant Stacy King, of Southend CID, said: "We know this incident took place in a very public setting and may have caused some concern locally.

'The response to the incident progressed incredibly quickly and I’d really like to thank those members of the public who were able to provide immediate information on the man’s whereabouts.

"Armed officers were then able to enter a property and ensure this significant arrest was made – and the weapon, confirmed to be a BB gun, was seized and made safe."

The court heard the offences were so serious that it will have to be dealt with at crown court.

As a result no plea was entered and no bail application was made, with Rudkin remanded in custody to appear at Basildon Crown Court in June.