A MAN considered a “danger” to vulnerable members of the public is beginning an extended six-year custodial sentence for the street robbery of an elderly woman.

Dean Kenyon, who was on licence at the time from a prison sentence for a previous purse snatch robbery, struck as the 79-year-old victim emerged from a pub in Consett town centre, awaiting a lift from her daughter, at 8.15pm on Wednesday January 12.

Durham Crown Court was told she saw a “scruffy-looking” man apparently talking on the phone.

As she walked a few steps looking for her daughter, Kenyon approached from behind and grabbed her handbag.

Anne Richardson, prosecuting, said the victim managed to keep hold of the strap, but she was pulled backwards at speed and fell to the ground, shouting for help.

She released the bag and the defendant walked away with the contents.

Police were called and recovered a pair of glasses and a set of keys, neither of which belonged to the victim, at the scene.

The injured woman felt severe pain to the right side of her hip, which was fractured, requiring surgery.

Read more: Elderly woman suffered fractured hip in Consett bag snatch

Police later visited her in hospital and showed her the bag and a set of keys which she said both belonged to her.

On examination of cctv in the area Kenyon was recognised.

The bag was recovered from his garden and the victim’s keys were found in a search of his house.

When he was interviewed he was initially agitated and told police to, “hurry up and stop asking stupid questions.”

He claimed to have been out at the time and as he did not have his keys he had to climb through the front window.

The court heard he was on licence release at the time for a purse snatch street robbery of a 51-year-old woman, committed in Stockton, in October 2020, for which he received a 32-month prison sentence.

Statements from his latest victim were read to the court outlining the effects of the incident, from which she is still recovering physically.

She said Kenyon not only robbed her of her bag, but also her “independence” and she now fears going out, but is also frightened in her own home.

Miss Richardson said the victim has had to move home into a bungalow due to her mobility issues, for which she receives physiotherapy.

Kenyon, 35, of Parkside Crescent, Seaham, admitted a charge of robbery.

Chris Morrison, in mitigation, told the court the defendant has expressed his, “palpable remorse” and said the incident was not “prolonged” but also claimed the victim was, “not targeted”.

Judge James Adkin disagreed, describing it as, “a patently targeted assault.”

Mr Morrison said while on remand in prison the defendant has suffered serious burn injuries to both arms and legs after having boiling water poured over him, for which he has undergone five skin grafts.

Judge Adkin said as in his previous robbery the defendant appeared to have deliberately targeted the victim for her vulnerability and said he considers Kenyon to pose a serious risk of causing similar harmful offences.

He, therefore, imposed an extended determinate sentence, featuring a six-year custodial element, with a three-year extended licence period upon his release.

Kenyon must serve at least four years in custody, but may have to spend the entire six years behind bars.

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