A MUGGER wrenched a handbag from an elderly woman after he had accidentally knocked her to the ground on a Southampton street.

The 87-year-old victim desperately tried to hold onto her belongings and valiantly attempted to fend him off with her walking stick, but the robber, Jacek Baranowski, proved too powerful.

The drama, however, was spotted by chance by two officers looking out of Portswood police station.

Prosecutor Simon Edwards said they initially went to her assistance as she lay on the pavement with a bruised leg and then chased Baronowski, who tried to hide in a telephone box outside a cafe.

Baronowski, 52, of Belmont Road, Portswood, admitted robbery and was jailed for 12 months at the city’s crown court.

Oliver O’Connor, defending, said that Baronowski had been drinking and it was only after he had accidentally knocked over the pensioner that he decided to steal her bag.

He said: “She didn’t receive a significant harm but he is deeply ashamed and upset.

“There has not been a day gone by since when he has not thought of the victim and through me expresses his deep apologies for what he has caused.”

Passing sentence, Recorder Sarah Vaughan-Jones QC said although she accepted that Baronowski had not deliberately knocked her to the ground, it was still a callous and cowardly crime committed on a defenceless old woman.

Recorder Vaughan-Jones said: “I accept you feel shame for what you did. That is clear from your behaviour today.”