A ROBBER who snatched a pensioner's handbag containing £400 produced a flick knife when he was chased from the scene by a teenager, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Derrick Tipton made off with 81-year-old Irene Gordon's bag after forcing his pursuer, 17-year-old Edward Nolan, to stand back after showing the knife.

Mrs Gordon was pulled over by the tugging and fell to the ground, breaking her arm and dislocating her shoulder.

She is now afraid of going out shopping and has to pay for a home help.

Tipton, aged 33, of Ennerdale Close, Warndon, Worcester, who admitted the robbery, was jailed for four years.

He will have to serve an extra two months for breaking a suspended sentence imposed by city magistrates for shoplifting offences.

The robbery took place on September 24 soon after Mrs Gordon had drawn pension money, said Kerry Moreton, prosecuting.

She held on to her bag until a second tug threw her to the ground. Mr Norton heard her screams and followed Tipton round the block into a nearby garden.

He gave up the chase when Tipton produced the knife and was able to walk away. The knife had never been found, said Miss Moreton.

Tipton was arrested three days later and initially denied the offence although being picked out on an identity parade.

He had previous convictions for robbery, assault and affray.

Adam Western, defending, said Tipton had gone out with the intention of stealing from a supermarket in order to fund his drug habit. He had not realised he had a knife until he was confronted by Mr Nolan.

He was remorseful for causing the injury to a fragile old lady, he said.

But since being in prison, Tipton, a father-of-two, had worked making double glazing and had become drug-free.

Judge Richard Rundell accepted that the robbery was not premeditated but it had been a nasty incident involving a vulnerable old lady whose life would never be the same again.