A mugger who snatched the handbag from a woman pensioner in Stone was jailed for 20 months by a judge.

Sylvia Powell, aged 65, tried to cling on to her bag, but was forced to let go and then pursued robber David Wilson, Stafford crown court heard.

He gave her the slip by jumping over a gate into a field, but the chase was taken up by a passing motorist, Mr Nigel Davies.

He also lost sight of the robber, however he flagged down a police car, got in and toured the area until he spotted Wilson near the River Trent.

Mr Pat Sullivan, prosecuting, said Wilson had discarded the bag and its contents, but had on him a £5 note.

Wilson, aged 25, of Silkmore Lane, Stafford, admitted a charge of robbery.

Judge Mark Eades told him: “You picked on this elderly lady because she was an easy target. Those who go around robbing elderly people going about their ordinary business commit a serious offence.”

Mr Sullivan told the court the robbery happened on the afternoon of May 3 this year as Mrs Powell was walking along Trent Lane in Stone.

She felt the defendant pulling at her bag and resisted although she had to let go to stop herself being pulled over. Wilson ran off with the bag, which had £7 in cash.

Mrs Powell was left with a sore arm and was so shaken by the crime, she was physically sick.

The court heard that Wilson had a previous conviction for robbery in October 2000 when he mugged a woman outside a supermarket, striking her from behind and running off with her purse.

Mr Mark Sheppard, defending, said Wilson had no accommodation and no benefit money at the time of the offence.

“It was an impulsive offence. She was not targeted, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“The level of violence used was relatively low and fortunately her injuries were minor, although not surprisingly being shaken up.”

Mr Sheppard said £5 of her stolen money had been recovered.