A woman who robbed a pensioner making her way home from shops using a walking frame has been jailed for three years and three months.

The 88-year-old victim had just built up confidence to leave home in the Paddock area of Huddersfield after a hit and run incident and was using a three wheel frame.

She went to the post office but because there was a queue on December 27 last year she did not wait and instead went to another shop for some food and magazines.

Robert Galley, prosecuting, said as she entered Virginia Hames was standing outside wearing a black hooded top. She walked up behind the pensioner and almost collided with her.

When the pensioner left the shop her purse was in her bag hanging from the walking frame and when she saw Hames again instinctively covered it up with some magazines.

Hames walked past her but a short time later came up behind the pensioner and shoved her in the back. She did not fall over but Hames used the distraction to reach into the bag and take the purse containing £39 and bank and other cards.

Her victim managed to make her way to her son’s home where she was upset and shaken. She found it hard to pluck up courage and leave her home for a considerable time afterwards.

The robber was identified from CCTV footage. The court heard she had 89 previous convictions covering 149 offences and had only been given a community order for shoplifting eight days before the attack.

Michael Sisson-Pell representing Hames said most of her offending was linked to her addiction for drugs from which she had suffered for 30 years.

However since last year she had managed to become drug free, had found a job and was motivated to change her life.

Hames, 47, of Lowergate, Paddock, admitted robbery. Recorder Anil Murray told her the offence was so serious only immediate custody was appropriate.