JAILED: Thief snatched handbag from pensioner after spotting her walking with stick
A mother of four who badly hurt an 86-year-old woman while snatching the victim’s handbag is starting a four year jail sentence.
Catherine Johnson deliberately targeted the pensioner after spotting her walking with a stick, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The 31-year-old robber struck from behind, sending the elderly woman crashing face first to the ground with a push in the back, said Miss Joanne Barker, prosecuting.
Johnson then snatched the handbag and fled leaving the victim with serious facial injuries.
Passers-by, alerted by the car horns of motorists who had witnessed the February 6 robbery, gave chase.
The defendant was cornered and caught by several members of the public.
Miss Barker said: “The injured part was walking with a stick towards her car in Walsall town centre when the defendant rushed at her from behind, pushing her to the ground and grabbing the handbag, which the injured party had tried to hang onto.
“Passers-by saw what happened and detained the defendant, who tested positive for drugs.”
The victim’s injuries included a broken nose, cut lip, black eye, other facial cuts and bruises together with damage to an elbow.
“The attack has left her too frightened to leave her own home, the court heard.”
Mr Simon Birch, defending, said: “She is now appalled by what she did.”
Johnson, of Keates Road, Willenhall, pleaded guilty to robbery.
