THE man responsible for a 'nasty, unprovoked robbery' against an elderly woman has been sentenced to six years in jail.

Reece Andrew McCoy, 33, of Cornwall Road, Dorchester was handed his six year sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court after he was found guilty of a brutal robbery against a woman in her 70s.

The incident happened in November 2017 - the woman was walking through Dorchester from South Walks Road to Charles Street when she noticed a man behind her. As she went through the Acland Road car park, she felt someone grab her from behind and take hold of her handbag.

She saw the man pulling at her bag, which caused her to fall over and bash her head on the ground. She clung onto her bag as the man dragged her along the floor and threatened to stab her if she didn't let go.

Despite the threat, the woman never saw a weapon. The man eventually managed to grab the bag and run away, escaping over a wall onto Acland Road.

The woman was treated for head injury by paramedics, but she did not require hospital treatment.

Police officers searched the area along with a police dog and found the victim's handbag, from which £150 in cash was missing.

Forensic analysis of the bag found a DNA sample that matched the Mr McCoy, who was arrested and charged with robbery in January 2018.

Detective Constable Emma Swann of Weymouth CID said: "This was a nasty, unprovoked robbery on a vulnerable elderly woman by Reece McCoy that showed no regard for the potential harm he might have caused his victim.

"While she thankfully did not sustain any serious physical injuries, the psychological impact was understandably significant for her.

"We will not tolerate violent behaviour such as this and I am pleased that through our investigation we were able to identify McCoy as the man responsible for this despicable offence so he could face justice at court."