A frail pensioner was left injured when a drug addict shoved her into a wall in an attempt to steal from her at a cashpoint.
The 70-year-old went to take some money out from the ATM at a Co-op in Gateshead when she noticed mask-wearing Gordon Simpson loitering with another man.
She asked if they were using the machine and when they said they weren't they moved but were still close enough to make her feel uncomfortable.
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Simpson then suddenly forcefully pushed her to the side into the building so hard she was left with bruising, swelling and grazes to her arm and was shaken and in shock.
The victim had already secured the money before she was attacked and the thug ran off empty-handed.
Now Simpson, who has 141 previous convictions, including for handbag snatch robberies, and who had been given a community order just six days earlier for common assault in a row over money, has been jailed for assault with intent to rob.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Simpson had already committed an offence at the Co-op at Beacon Lough, Gateshead, on the morning of Sunday May 23 last year, when he stole items including chocolates.
Around 90 minutes later, at 12pm, he was outside when the pensioner turned up.
Sentencing him, Judge Paul Sloan QC said: "She was elderly and frail and 70 years old at the time.
"She approached the machine and asked if you were using it and you said not and moved slightly to one side.
"She removed cash and you were doubtless waiting for your opportunity to grab the cash.
"You shoved her very forcibly away to once side, causing her to bang into the front of the building.
"She was shaken and shocked by what happened and sustained not insignificant bruising to her left arm, caused when she bashed into the building. Her elbow was swollen and she sustained abrasions to her forearm.
"She needed to attend hospital, her arm was in a sling and she was given painkillers."
In a victim impact statement, the pensioner said: "This made me very worried and nervous and I don't feel confident going out on my own anymore.
"These weren't kids, they were grown men.
"I think this is going to have a serious effect on me in future."
Simpson, 44, of Mardale Gardens, Gateshead, was jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Shaun Routledge, defending, said: "He apologises through me to the victim.
"He says it's time to change and wants to move on sooner rather than later."
The court heard his heroin abuse lay at the heart of his offending.
