A PROLIFIC crook who has repeatedly targeted the elderly and vulnerable has been jailed for six years for trying to mug a pensioner.

Burnley Crown Court heard drug addict Craig Kennedy, 42, left 76- year-old Mrs Rita Downing injured and unable to go out alone.

He attacked her in a ginnel near Nelson Tesco, last May 28.

Kennedy had only been out of prison eight days. She told police the only time she had felt fear like it was when she was hiding in a cellar as an 11 year old girl during the Blitz in World War Two.

Kennedy has 65 previous convictions for theft, a record for robbery, and, since 2001, the victims of his burgling and stealing have been aged between 76 and 86.

He was caught after police recognised him on CCTV.

The defendant, formerly of Carr Road, Nelson, admitted attempted robbery. Sentencing him, Recorder Nick Clarke, QC, said he had targeted elderly women for over a decade and had repeatedly picked on a vulnerable section of society who were easy prey..

The judge said the defendant had an appalling record and added: “I hope that by the time you are released you will not be a danger to elderly ladies in the future."

Bob Elias, prosecuting, said Mrs Downing was going to the dentist and cut through the ginnel, known as Goitside, just before 2.30pm. She felt two tugs at her handbag and shopping bags in her left hand and realised someone was trying to snatch them.

She gripped them tightly, screamed, but Kennedy pulled hard and dragged her to the floor.

She fell on her back and banged her head and knee.

The defendant ran off, leaving her with bruises, soreness and marks where she had held on to her bags. A passerby heard a crying noise and found Mrs Downing on the ground.

Jennifer Blewitt, defending, said Kennedy had spent the majority of his adult life in and out of custody.

She said he recognised the offence was terrible and had himself described it as ‘despicable’.