A DRUG addict who stole a handbag from a 75-year-old woman working in a Worcester charity shop has been jailed for 12 months.

James Gibson walked into the muscular dystrophy shop in Sidbury and was spotted in a private section of the building by Mary Inight.

When she asked him what he was doing, he barged into her and fled with her handbag which he snatched from the counter, Tom Kenning, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court.

Gibson, aged 22, admitted theft and common assault.

He was given a not guilty verdict on a charge of robbery, which he had denied.

Judge John Cavell branded the crime "a particularly mean theft" against a pensioner working alone in a shop.

A fortnight before the offence on Tuesday, November 20 last year, Gibson - who had convictions for theft, burglary and possession of drugs - had been given a conditional discharge for theft from another shop.

Mr Kenning said Mrs Inight tried to stop the defendant escaping by obstructing the shop door with an ironing board.

Gibson managed to get out but by good fortune a police patrol was parked outside and he was quickly arrested.

The victim's bag was recovered.

Francis Laird, defending, said Gibson, of Bath Road, Worcester, had gone into the shop to buy a coat but seized the opportunity to commit a sneak theft.

He said he committed "a minor but reckless assault" on Mrs Inight by barging into her accidentally.

Gibson had made efforts to rid himself of his drug addiction by seeking help from various agencies, added Mr Laird.

He was now the father of a child and recognised that he must change his ways.