A young woman who was threatened with a knife and robbed of £1,100 has spoken of her relief that her attacker has been jailed, but said her life is still in ruins.

Joleen Bradshaw, 19, spent the day at Leysdown in Sheppey last June with her brother and his girlfriend. The visit was going well and she had several big wins on the fruit machines, but after she left the Premier shop in Leysdown Road, prior to returning to her home in Canterbury, she was confronted by 27-year-old William Smith of Beechwood Drive, Meopham.

Smith demanded she hand over her purse that contained her winnings and lunged at his victim with a knife.

Last week, Smith was jailed for six years by Woolwich Crown Court, after CCTV and DNA evidence on his hat that he had dropped at the scene, helped convict him.

But Miss Bradshaw said: "I'm glad he has been convicted and justice has been done, but I'm still a mess.

"I can't sleep at night. I'm depressed and I'm afraid to go out."

Miss Bradshaw is having counselling and is on medication and taking sleeping pills prescribed by her doctor, but nothing has lifted her anxiety.

She said: "I've been diagnosed with a stress disorder. I just can't get to sleep, despite the sleeping tablets, and then during the day I'm just depressed and can't bring myself to do anything."

Miss Bradshaw suffered only minor cuts and bruises in her struggle with Smith, but the mental health has been seriously affected.

She said: "My driving licence was in the purse he took, with my address on it. Since the trial, I keep thinking, suppose he sends friends or relatives round after me? I daren't go out."

Miss Bradshaw who lives with her mother said: "I'm even thinking I might have to move, but I don't want to do that, my mum is my biggest support!"

The court also did not order Smith to repay her the £1,100 he stole.