Addict targeted elderly women

William Maxwell Abel, 36, was on Monday jailed for at least two-and-a-half years at Durham Crown Court, after admitting the robbery of a 60-year-old women in Bishop Auckland.

It will run alongside an indefinite sentence of at least three-and-a-half years, imposed at the court in May, after he was convicted of a similar offence, involving a 76-year-old, also in Bishop Auckland.

Abel denied that offence, in which he was said to have dragged the woman by the neck, before prising her bag from her grasp, in Bedford Place, on November 29 last year.

But, having been found 'guilty' by the jury, he expressed remorse for his actions prior to sentence, in May.

Judge Richard Lowden, told Abel at the time that it was, "too late to say sorry", and imposed the indefinite sentence as he believed he posed, "a significant risk" of causing serious harm to the public.

The court heard Abel, of Ashcroft Gardens, Bishop Auckland, also served a three-year sentence for a similar offence in 2002.

Yesterday's (MON) sentence was for a bag snatch in Waldron Street, on October 15 last year, in which he eventually grabbed the bag from the victim's grasp when the handles snapped.

Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, said it was later found abandoned in a bin, and Abel made admissions only when his dna was found on the bag.

Chris Morrison, for Abel, said he has now abandoned earlier plans to appeal against the conviction earlier this year.

"At the time of these offences he was leading a sadly chaotic lifestyle and had little else to do other than take drink and drugs to excess.

"He spent his days in drink and drug-induced oblivion."

But Mr Morrison said Abel is now trying to overcome his drug misuse on courses run in prison.

Imposing the latest two-and-a-half year sentence, Judge George Moorhouse told Abel: "I'm pleased to see you're drug-free in prison, but these are serious offences and there's a serious risk to the public from you."