A brother and sister mugging team who targeted a Thanet pensioner have received prison sentences.

Roman Benak, 27, of The Passage, Margate, was jailed for two years for his part in the robbery.

His sister Alexandra, 34, of Athelstan Road, Margate, received a two-year sentence, but in her case it was suspended for two years.

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court heard how they targeted the 73-year-old woman after she struck lucky on gaming machines, turning an £80 stake into a £420 win.

Elizabeth Moore’s joy turned to terror when she realised she was being stalked by the robbing pair.

“She tried to stop it being but the strap broke and Mrs Moore fell to the floor and sustained some injuries, including grazing and bruising” - Prosecutor Ian Foinette

They followed the pensioner as she made her way home and snatched her handbag containing the cash.

Prosecutor Ian Foinette said the pair had been caught on CCTV after the robbery in Margate two years ago.

He said: “Mrs Moore was out in the area of Northdown Road Margate at 6.15 to 6.30pm on March 21, 2013.

“She had gone to Ladbrokes where there are a series of gaming machines and she had played for about three quarters of an hour.

“She invested £80 in the machines and was very lucky, in some respects, because she came away with £421 in winnings.”

The prosecutor said that in Ladbrokes at that time were the two defendants “and they saw her win the money and decided they were going to have the money for themselves”.

He said they followed her when she left with the winnings inside her purse and handbag.

Mrs Moore became concerned when she spotted them following her as she made her way home along Sweyne Road.

“She went into a shop because of her concern and was in there 10 minutes hoping the people would have moved on.

“Mrs Moore was then aware of someone coming up behind her and grabbing the bag and pulling it from her shoulder.

“She tried to stop it being but the strap broke and Mrs Moore fell to the floor and sustained some injuries, including grazing and bruising.”

The prosecutor said that passers-by then ran to help the pensioner as the two made off with the money.

The brother and sister were later arrested but denied that they were the people caught on CCTV – but the jury disbelieved them.

Stories you might have missed

Woman fighting for life after serious crash

Anger at boarder’s bomb-wreck stunt

Dad jailed for downloading child abuse images

Firms pay for resurfacing of disabled teenager’s road