A 74 YEAR-old woman was left struggling for breath when her handbag was grabbed in a street robbery - one of the culprits being just 13 years old.

The pair got away with £2.50 cash and a few other items.

The ordeal left the victim shaking and very distressed and she collapsed at home the following night.

The elder of the two teenagers responsible was given nine months youth custody when he appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court. The younger one was given a nine months referral order to the youth offender panel.

Andrew Hodkinson, 19, of Cleveland Road, Colne and the 14-year-old youth - who cannot be named due to his age - had both admitted the robbery which took place on September 13 last year at Colne.

Louise Whaites, prosecuting, said the woman was making her way along Keighley Road, heading to her daughter-in-law's address, when the two teenagers approached.

Her recollection was that the younger one grabbed her handbag and yanked it hard from her grasp, causing her to fall on her right side.

Both boys ran off. A man saw her in a distressed state and took her into his house where he called the police.

The woman was frightened and could not stop shaking. A police officer who responded to the call found her struggling to catch her breath.

Some of the stolen items from her bag were recovered, but not the £2.50.

The crime left her frightened to go out on her own and with chest and backache from falling over. The night after the incident she collapsed at home due to shock.

Hodkinson had been 18 at the time and the younger lad 13. One of them told police they had discussed taking the bag. Neither of them had any money and they had simply decided to do it.

John Maxwell, defending the younger defendant, said he was easily led and had gone along with the offence. He fully accepted his culpability.

"He is deeply ashamed of what he has done to this lady and ashamed of what he has done to his parents. His mum and dad are decent, honest, law-abiding people who are shocked and dismayed."

Zoe Neild, for Hodkinson, said he too was very contrite and ashamed.

She said: "He wishes to apologise through me to the woman. He did not wish anyone to be hurt, but once the two had formed the plan there was always a risk the victim could be hurt."