Robber jailed for three years

A 23-year-old Warrington man who robbed a 50-year-old woman in the street at night has been jailed for a total of three years at the town’s Crown Court.
Stephen Johnson of Folly Lane, robbed the 50-year-old woman as she walked in Froghall Lane, Warrington, on 21 January 2012.
The victim was walking along the street at around 9pm on her own talking on her mobile phone. As she got near the junction of Paul Street she was approached from behind by Johnson.
He grabbed the woman?s handbag and tried to steal it. A struggle ensued and the victim managed to keep hold of her bag as the strap became wrapped around her right hand. Johnson demanded that she hand over her bag but she was shouting loudly in a bid to raise the alarm.
A passing motorist then stopped at the scene to help. Johnson became angry and frustrated as he could not get hold of the bag and he then snatched the victim?s mobile phone from her right hand and fled the scene on foot.
The motorist chased Johnson but eventually lost sight of him. Johnson was arrested nearby a short time after and was charged with the offence and pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
The victim sustained bruising and swelling to her right forearm and bruising and swelling to her right hand.
DC Nat Lewis, who investigated the case, said: “Johnson targeted a woman as she walked alone in Warrington. He thought she was an easy target and intended to steal her handbag but he did not expect the victim to fight back and she managed to keep hold of it.
“It was only due to the bravery of the victim and the goodwill of a passing motorist who stopped at the side of the road to help that Johnson did not steal anything else or cause more injury to the victim.
“We take all incidents of robbery extremely seriously and are committed to tackling this type of crime in Warrington.
“Johnson has paid the price for his actions and will spend the next few years behind bars. We hope that the custodial sentence imposed will give him the time behind bars to reflect upon his actions and the impact of them.”