A HEROIN addict whose handbag-snatch victim died in a Worcester supermarket has been spared jail.

Rory Jones was first charged with manslaughter after stealing the bag which pensioner Mary Tudge had left in an unattended trolley at Tesco, in St Peter's.

The 77-year-old angina sufferer lost £200 and became very distressed, David Iles, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court. She collapsed and died at the store on January 11.

Sentencing Jones to an 18-month drug treatment and testing order, Mr Justice Morland said: "You caused Mrs Tudge great distress which certainly played a part in her tragic death."

But he was satisfied that the 25-year-old, of Liverpool Road, Ronkswood, was "full of remorse" and had the motivation to stay off drugs.

The judge said he had originally considered a four-year jail term, but "on reflection had a degree of confidence" that the drug order would work. Jones had spent four months in custody.

Addressing members of Mrs Tudge's family, yesterday, the judge said he hoped they would understand.

But one man shouted out "No, we can't understand" and, outside court, added: "He's got away with it."

A woman collapsed in tears, saying Jones - who admitted the theft and a number of other shoplifting offences - should have been jailed.

Jones saw the bag inside Mrs Tudge's unattended trolley, hid it and left.

Mrs Tudge, of Hidcote Close, St Peter's, had just collected £200 of pension money, said Mr Iles.

He singled out Tesco staff Janet Jones and Helen Teague who "fought desperately for Mrs Tudge's survival". But she died before paramedics could help.

A Home Office pathologist said in his report: "I have no doubt she died from heart disease as a result of having her handbag stolen."

Mr Iles said that, although there was a direct medical link between the theft and the victim's death, there was no direct legal link.

A manslaughter charge was dropped because Mrs Tudge had suffered from heart disease for many years.

Jones and a friend went to Birmingham the same day and spent the stolen cash on heroin and crack cocaine. He was already on probation for shoplifting and had a substantial record.

Francis Laird, defending, said the offence was a watershed in Jones' life.

"It shattered him and stunned him into a feeling of deep remorse coupled with disgust," he said. "He understands the feelings of her family and is particularly sorry for her husband."

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