A man from North London who stole a handbag from a 92-year-old pensioner by pretending to pet her dog has been jailed.
Jerry Maughan snatched the woman's possession before knocking her to the ground near a churchyard in Rainham, Kent.
As the 25-year-old bent down 'making a fuss of the dog', he snatched her bag and fled the scene on Church Path.
During the tussle on March 11, 2024, the female victim tried to hold on to her possession but was knocked to the ground, suffering a face injury in the process.
Kent Police were called to the town centre at around 1pm after the pensioner asked a high-street shop for help.
Around three hours later, officers found Maughan at a nearby address and he was arrested and charged the following day.
Maughan, of Maya Place in Wood Green, Haringey, pleaded guilty to the offence and was jailed for three years and four months in a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday.
Detective Constable Emma Laimbeer said: "This despicable man had nothing but contempt for his victim – a pensioner out shopping and walking her dog – and cared nothing for her safety.
“He subjected her to a frightening ordeal and his abhorrent actions have had a lasting impact.
"We will always strive to bring the perpetrators of such reproachable behaviour before the courts to face justice."
