A callous robber who targeted an elderly pensioner collecting her pension from a post office has been jailed for five years.

Hooded Clive Butcher pounced on the 87-year-old victim, almost knocking her off her walker, and snatched her purse containing £200.

A judge told the 38-year-old drug addict with a string of previous convictions: “This was a cruel offence, targeting a vulnerable 87-year-old lady.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard the victim had walked along Waltham Road in Twydall, near Gillingham, at about 10am on October 8 and went to a medical centre to collect a prescription.

Butcher watched as she collected her £163 pension and then followed her.

He pushed her, causing her to stumble, and made off with her purse.

Prosecutor Eleanor Scott-Davis said the purse contained a total of £200, a store card and house keys.

Despite wearing a hood, Butch was identified from CCTV footage.

“The person who does the robbery doesn’t use his right arm,” said Miss Scott-Davis.

“It is understood that Mr Butcher can’t use his right arm.”

"This was a cruel offence, targeting a vulnerable 87-year-old lady" - Judge Adele Williams

He has 11 previous convictions for 25 offences including robbery and theft.

He was in breach of a 12 month suspended sentence for burglary imposed in March, when he was also given a drug rehabilitation order.

Simon Taylor, defending, said Butcher had been affected badly by Class A drugs.

He had tried to avoid opiates and turned to other substances.

“It led to this,” said Mr Taylor.

“He can’t remember it at all, but is willing to accept his behaviour.”

Butcher, of no fixed address, admitted robbery when appearing by TV link with Elmley Prison and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years with six months consecutive for breaching the suspended sentence.

Judge Adele Williams said the victim was normally a robust and strong woman, but the offence had a deeply traumatic effect on her.

“Your offending over the years has been driven by your addiction to Class A drugs and other substances,” the judge told Butcher.

“Please, during this sentence, take advantage of any help available.”

Butcher replied: “I will.”

Police constable Magnus McAuley, the investigating officer in this case, said: "Butcher has committed a heinous and cowardly offence against a defenceless, elderly woman.

"The case shows that he is incapable of living in society without targeting innocent members of the public and the sentence imposed by the court is entirely appropriate.

"I hope the swift nature of Butcher's imprisonment offers some closure to the victim, who showed a lot of courage to support this investigation.

"Kent Police would also like to thank everyone who responded to our appeal for information - their help meant that within six hours of the appeal being issued we were able to bring the offender into custody."