Two elderly women had their handbags snatched within hours in Bristol. And it transpired Marcus Ford targeted both.
Ford snatched Kathryn Bennett's bag just after she left Hanham Baptist Church in Hanham High Street at noon in September 2019. Bristol Crown Court heard around four hours later he snatched Pamela Rowland's bag as she walked in Henleaze Road.
Ford, 44, of Thorsby Avenue in Tameside, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to two robberies. The court heard his "slipping off the radar" contributed to delay in the case, which was set for trial today (March 7, 2022).
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The recorder Mr David Chidgey jailed him for four years. He told Ford: "The elderly need protection and they deserve protection. Both victims were selected on the basis of their vulnerability. They would be unlikely to fight back."
Ian Fenny, prosecuting, said Mrs Bennett was walking with a friend when she felt a tug on her right arm and someone trying to snatch her bag. The court heard she shouted "That's my bag!" but Ford was able grab it and run to a car.
The bag contained some £20 to £30 cash, her mobile phone with sentimental photos and bus pass. She made an impact statement said she was upset about the loss of the photos.
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Some four hours later Ford targeted Pamela Rowland, 89, she walked on Henleaze Road. When she felt her bag being tugged she initially thought it was her son come to help her, the court heard.
Sadly it was Ford, who grabbed the bag containing £65 cash, her credit cards, bus pass, medication and house keys. Once again the robber got into a nearby car and drove off.
Mr Fenny told the court Mrs Rowland said after that she was fairly "stoical" about what happened, she wasn't left frightened to go out and didn't think it would happen again to her. Sadly, she died shortly after, the court heard.
Peter Connick, defending, said: "Mr Ford says he is very remorseful. He was not on stable medication at the time and taking drugs."
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