A VIOLENT robber who attacked the same woman twice has been jailed for three years.

Viktor Lastovka, aged 35, of Commercial Road, Bournemouth, attacked the woman – who was known to him – twice in as many days.

On the first occasion he threatened to kill her if she didn't comply with his demands.

Officers investigating described the offences as "nasty" which left left the victim "fearing for her safety".

Police Constable Liam Moss, of Dorset Police's priority crime team, said: "I would like to praise her (the victim) for having the strength to come forward and report the matter.

“Thanks to her support we were able to ensure that Lastovka was brought before the court to face the consequences of his violent actions.”

Lastovka, jailed at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, January 25, admitted charges of robbery, assault and theft.

The court heard that around 9.30pm, Thursday, December 17, last year, the victim, aged in her 30s, was smoking outside her home in Bournemouth town centre when Lastovka approached and asked to use her phone.

She refused to give it to him, but as she was walking away Lastovka put his hand over her mouth and threatened to kill her if she didn't hand over cash or her keys.

The shocked victim bit his had to get him off her, before the defendant bit her hands to get her keys.

After forcing his way into her property the victim handed over £30 to get him to leave.

Then, the following morning, the same victim was at her place of work, a hotel in Bournemouth, when she saw Lastovka coming up the stairs towards her.

Once again he grabbed her, put his hand over her mouth then took her mobile phone from her bag.

Lastovka then demanded £20 for the return of the phone, which the victim paid up.

The defendant even turned up a third time half-an-hour later, the court heard, but the victim had alerted colleagues at which point he ran away.

Police caught up with Lastovka on December 19, when he was detained for shoplifting at Beales in Poole's Dolphin shopping centre.

He was arrested for that matter as well as the robberies and assaults.

Lastovka was also sentenced for burglary and theft matters relating to offences committed in Bournemouth between April and October 2020, as well as a harassment charge.