A robber who followed a 62-year-old woman after she left a café, then stole her handbag, has been jailed.

Ricky Whiskin, who has no fixed address but has connections to Dartford, watched the woman leave a café in Fleetdale Parade in the town on the morning of Friday, September 9.

When the victim entered Dale Walk, Whiskin grabbed at her handbag.

The brave woman tried to hold onto it but Whiskin managed to snatch the bag and run off into Beesdale Walk.

The victim was left shaken by the ordeal.

Investigators later identified Whiskin from CCTV footage and arrested him on Friday, September 16 on suspicion of robbery.

He was subsequently charged with the offence and was remanded in custody.

Whiskin has since appeared before Maidstone Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to robbery. The judge sentenced him to four years in prison.

Prosecutor Simon Blackford said there was a tug-of-war and the strap on the bag eventually gave way.

"She was so very near to her home, a place of safety - one minute walk away when you pounced on her" - Judge Philip Statman, to Whiskin

The victim went to the ground and was left sobbing with pain in her fingers and she could not move them for a couple of days.

In the bag was her purse containing cash, bank card, bus pass, mobile phone and TV licence.

Whiskin, who had previously been jailed for six years for aggravated burglary, was identified on CCTV cameras.

He was recalled to prison for a previous offence and he is on licence until 2019.

Mr Blackford said the woman was left feeling angry and could not be near men afterwards. She insisted on being interviewed by a woman police officer.

Daniel Stephenson, defending, said it was an opportunistic offence, but accepted it was a frightening experience for the victim.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Statman said of the offence: “She would not let go. You would not stop. As a result, she sustained bruising to her fingers and pain.

“She was so very near to her home, a place of safety - one minute walk away when you pounced on her.

“As a result she suffers nightmares she can’t shake off. She has feelings of vulnerability.”

The judge said Whiskin had a bad record for violent conduct, adding: “You are on the cusp of requiring an extended sentence.

“I am only just persuaded that the test for dangerousness has not been reached. The sentencer must not lose sight of his discretion. This is not a tick box exercise.”

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Steven Brown, said: "This was a particularly violent attack on a vulnerable woman that has left her very shaken up.

"Whiskin showed no concern for his victim as he made off with her property and he should consider the impact his actions have had while he is in prison.

"I would like to commend the victim for her bravery throughout the course of this investigation."