A man who snatched a handbag from a pensioner in Christchurch has been jailed.

Emmett Downes, 37, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to theft from person and a separate burglary offence.

He also asked for the court to take into account (TIC) three other burglary and theft offences.

He was handed a 16-week prison term for the burglary offence and TICs and a four-week term for the theft offence to run concurrently.

On August 3 at 6.50pm, Downes approached a woman in her late 60s from behind and wrenched a shopping bag from her shoulder as she walked in Druitt Gardens between the High Street and the recreation ground.

Downes was seen searching through the woman’s bag before taking a purse containing cash and bank cards.

He then threw the bag on the floor and ran away.

A CCTV image of the suspect was issued and a police officer recognised that it was Downes.

The court was told that the second offence related to a burglary that occurred sometime between 10.50am and 3pm in Waltham Road in Bournemouth on Thursday, August 4.

Downes gained access to the property via an insecure window and stole an Apple iMac computer and keyboard.

Later that day, Downes sold the computer to a man who discovered it was stolen and returned it to its owner.

Subsequent enquiries revealed that Downes had failed to appear at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 2 August.

He attended Bournemouth police station on 5 August and handed himself in. He received a four-week prison term.

Downes was arrested for the theft and burglary offences on Thursday 18 August following his release from prison.

Detective Constable Christopher Raspini, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “The behaviour of criminals such as Downes will not be tolerated in Dorset and we will use all available resources to arrest and charge offenders.

“Although Downes’ victim was uninjured she was left very shaken and upset and I hope the knowledge that he is behind bars will bring her some small comfort.

“Finally, I would like to remind residents to ensure they don’t leave windows or doors unlocked when they leave their property. If you do, you could leave your property vulnerable to opportunist thieves such as Downes.”