A man has been jailed after admitting robbing a 75-year-old woman of her handbag in the street.

The victim had just got off the bus in Front Street, Chester-le-Street on Satrurday, February 15, when her bag was grabbed from behind.

She tried to hold on to it but was dragged to the ground by Carl Kelly who managed to snatch the bag and flee the scene.

Carl Kelly, 36, used the victim’s bank card to buy cigarettes and put credit on his pay point card.The 75-year-old victim sustained minor injuries but managed to go to a nearby shop to get help.

Police enquiries led to the identification of Kelly, and he was arrested later that day, having been found in possession of the victim’s bank cards and subsequently charged.

At the time of the incident, Kelly, of Chester-le-Street was on bail for several other offences from December last year.

At Teesside Crown Court earlier this month, Kelly pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted burglary, possession of a bladed article and a pointed article, assault on an emergency worker, shop theft and three charges of vehicle interference.

He was jailed for three years and six months.

Detective Constable Katie Warren, of Durham Constabulary, said: “This is a despicable crime where Kelly has targeted a vulnerable lady who was going about her business.“This type of crime can have lasting effects on victims so I hope this lady can now find some closure knowing that Kelly is now behind bars.“We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour within our community.”