A thug who assaulted and stole hundreds of pounds from his grandmother was given a last chance when he appeared in court today.

Deputy Circuit Judge Crawford Lindsay QC told 25-year-old Shane Chaveney he deserved to go to prison for behaving "despicably" towards the 73-year-old pensioner.

But he added he had been persuaded by Chaveney's barrister to give him the opportunity to make amends.

Imposing a 10-month jail term suspended for two years, Judge Lindsay said: "These offences sink very low. No one can fail to have contempt for anyone who behaves in that way to their grandmother.

"Offences of assault and theft manifestly justify you going to prison. But you have a lot to thank your counsel for...Having heard him I propose to take a chance."

Chaveney, of Livingstone Road, Gravesend, admitted theft and assault by beating of Serena Rayfield at the magistrates court and was committed to Maidstone Crown Court.

He was sentenced to 10 months and four months respectively, and concurrently to each other.

As part of the suspended sentence Chaveney will also be subject to two years' supervision and treatment for alcohol misuse.

Chaveney also admitted obstructing police and failing to surrender to bail but the judge made no separate penalty.

The court heard Chaveney was living with his grandmother at her warden-controlled accommodation in Gravesend from early last year.

Prosecutor Jo Cope said he took her bank card and "pressured" her to give him her PIN number. Between January and August he stole £1,355, eventually leaving Mrs Rayfield with an overdraft of £500, which she is still having to repay to the bank.

The theft came to light when vigilant staff at the care home where Mrs Rayfield visited her son noticed the elderly woman looked "neglected," explained Mrs Cope. "They formed the impression she had no money spent on her."

Social services informed the police and Chaveney was subsequently arrested. Mrs Rayfield had herself confronted her grandson. "He admitted he had it and said he would pay it back," continued Mrs Cope. "But he continued to withdraw the money."

Chaveney later told police he initially used the bank card after his grandmother agreed to lend him £50 for a deposit on a flat. However, when he realised the landlord wanted two months' rent he spent the cash on cigarettes, alcohol and food.

He added that she had agreed he could have £10 to £20 a time but he took more and spent it on booze.

The court was also told that in September last year Chaveney slammed a door shut on Mrs Rayfield's hand after shouting at her for taking too long in the bathroom.

She suffered a 1.5cm cut between her forefinger and thumb. She went to hospital the following day as it was still bleeding but did not require treatment.

At the time Chaveney was subject to a 12-month community order imposed for an earlier assault on the pensioner. In 2006 he pushed her to the floor and then refused to call an ambulance as she lay with a fractured vertebrae.

Mrs Rayfield eventually managed herself to call a doctor and spent three weeks in hospital.

Alistair Keith, defending, said Chaveney immediately accepted that his offences were "mean" and a breach of trust.

He told the court alcohol had been at the root of his offending, as well as the pressure of being a father-figure to two younger brothers and becoming a dad himself.

Mr Keith added that the door incident was "reckless" and his remorse was genuine. He also said that having gone through a detox programme while on remand Chaveney was now motivated to find work and become a father-figure to his own son.

Chaveney, who has served 56 days on remand, thanked the judge at the end of the hearing.