A DRUGGED up man who was “off his face” when he stole a handbag from a vulnerable woman has avoided jail.

Jason Aguis, 49, admitted snatching a handbag from the seat of the woman’s walking frame as she went into Star Lane off Bransford Road in St John’s on June 26 last year.

Aguis, of Bransford Road, was caught on CCTV as he ran away with the handbag containing £5 in cash, various cards and keys to her apartment. The victim’s mobile phone fell out of the bag as he ran away.

Worcester Magistrates Court heard how Agius had “very little recollection” of the theft and admitted he was “off his face” on a number of anti-psychotic tablets. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

Mark Turnbull, defending, said that before the theft Aguis had been to visit his mother who was terminally ill.

Mr Turnbull said Aguis has since struggled to cope with the death of his mother, the death of his brother, who died two days later from a blood clot, and is still “angry and isolated” by the death of his two-year-old daughter from a heroin overdose.

Mr Turnbull recognised that Aguis had a history of theft but said it was usually theft from shops.

He said: “He is quite disappointed with himself.”

Aguis had been self-medicating with methadone for many years although he was not addicted to heroin, the court heard.

The case was adjourned in March after Agius originally pleaded not guilty.

Mr Turnbull said Aguis never intended to enter a not guilty plea and was reacting in interview to still images not the CCTV video.

“He never actually said ‘Yes, that is me’ and neither did he say ‘No, it wasn’t me’. The stills weren’t that great but as soon as I showed him the video he said ‘Yes, that’s me.”

The court heard how Aguis told a probation officer that he “couldn’t explain why he did it” and added: “I have offended before but I have never offended against anybody vulnerable.”

Magistrate Carys Clarke said: “This was a very vulnerable lady and you must understand the distress she felt. She was so distressed she feared walking in her own village.”

Aguis was ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim, do 120 hours unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation days.