A thief targeted vulnerable people with distraction burglaries and robbery, claiming he was raising cash to join the SAS.

Devious thug Joe Silver, 29, returned to a house in Boughton under Blean asking for a glass of water before stealing his victim’s handbag.

But when a courageous woman refused to let him back in, he hit her in the face.

He used a similar excuse in May when he went to a house in Westgate-on-Sea, claiming he needed help.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that he stepped over the stricken 60-year-old victim, before making off with a handbag, purse and mobile phone.

Prosecutor Daniel Benjamin said when she asked who he was Silver replied: “Joe!” before running away.

The woman then cried for help and a neighbour, Darren Keen, chased Silver, kicking him and causing him to stumble.

But Silver got away on the back of a waiting motorcycle and began using the stolen card immediately.

"This offence on its own is invasive and despicable, involving as it did the deliberate targeting of a vulnerable person, gaining her trust and then stealing from her" - DC Richard Cordery

The victim was left with large bruises to her face and arm after the attack in May. The court heard Silver also went to the house in Westgate claiming he was selling cleaning goods to raise money to join the SAS.

He then returned, saying he had lost his ID card, and stole a handbag.

Silver sat with his head bowed as Mr Benjamin told the judge that some of his previous offences were almost identical.

Max Reeves, defending, said Silver had a cocaine and alcohol problem, causing him to black out, and he could not remember the robbery.

Silver, who has no address, admitted burglary and robbery and was jailed for six years.

Judge Rupert Lowe told him: “You targeted women of advancing years, who were on their own and which you thought it would be easy to steal from.”

PC Christopher Jones, who investigated the robbery, said: “Joe Silver showed no remorse for the ordeal he had put his victims through.

“To be able to assault an elderly woman and then step over her for the sake of money is really loathsome.

“I’m pleased we were able to identify him and bring him before the courts to face his crimes.”

DC Richard Cordery, who investigated the burglary, said: “This offence on its own is invasive and despicable, involving as it did the deliberate targeting of a vulnerable person, gaining her trust and then stealing from her.

“Coupled with the robbery, it demonstrates Silver’s total disregard for others.”