Bag snatcher jailed

A HAILSHAM man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after pulling a woman to the ground and snatching her handbag.

A HAILSHAM man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after pulling a woman to the ground and snatching her handbag.

Lewes Crown Court heard Nigel Hill, 35, wrestled with Pamela Carter when she would not let go of her bag in Heathfield in September last year.

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After thumping her on the back, Hill, from Vega Close, Town Farm Estate, knocked the woman, who was in her 60s, to the ground and managed to snatch the bag.

But passerby Roberta Davis spotted him getting into a car and driving off and reported the registration number to the police.

When Hill was arrested he admitted taking the bag which contained 65 and said he took it to feed his heroin addiction.

Hill was also sentenced for theft of joints of lamb and beef from the Co-op in Hailsham in December last year and then breaking bail by failing to appear at the magistrate s court.

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After the sentencing, Judge Charles Kemp commended Mrs Davis for her vigilance which led to the arrest of Hill.

Eloise Marshall, prosecuting, told the court: 'Pamela Carter was crossing the road and felt a thump to her back and a tug on her handbag.

'Then another thump and tug. She pulled it tight and held on to it. She was forced to the ground and the bag was forced from her grip.

'She suffered a number of injuries including a swollen ankle and bruises to her arms.

Jeremy Gold, defending Hill who has previous convictions for theft, said: 'His only explanation is his use of drugs at the time.