A ROBBER chatted to a woman on a bus before stealing her handbag, a court heard.

Steven Dicks, 39, threw the woman to the ground during the attack, which left her cut and bruised.

The victim, aged in her 60s, was travelling on the 5A bus from Bournemouth town centre on the evening of Thursday, October 6, last year when Dicks approached and began talking to her.

When she got off the bus in Fernheath Road at around 7.50pm, Dicks also dismounted and followed her along Verney Road, West Howe.

Approaching her from behind, he tried to grab her handbag and pull it away before seizing her arm and throwing her to the ground.

While she lay there, Dicks took the handbag, which contained only a purse, keys and a pair of glasses, and fled the scene.

She sustained a cut to her forehead which required stitches, and bruising to her eye and cheekbone. She also had grazing and bruising to her leg.

The handbag was later recovered by police and only had the victim’s glasses left inside.

Dicks, of Moore Avenue, Bournemouth, was arrested the next day.

He admitted one count of robbery, and at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, May 5, he was sentenced to serve five years in prison.

Police Constable Matthew Bradley, of Bournemouth CID, said: "Steven Dicks targeted his victim in a bid to gain some cash as she walked alone in Bournemouth.

"He subjected her to what was a very frightening ordeal which left the victim feeling scared and vulnerable.

"Dorset Police does not tolerate this behaviour. We will investigate all crimes of this nature thoroughly and ensure that offenders are bought to justice."