Man jailed for robbing woman on New Year's Eve

A robber who caused an elderly woman to fall to ground as he stole her purse and bag has been jailed.

The victim who is aged in her 80s said she "can no longer see a future". The incident happened on New Years Eve 2022 on Riverton Road in Puriton, Somerset.

Cory Farrar, 27, of Shervage Court, Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to three years in prison at Taunton Crown Court on July 18.

In a statement read out in court, the victim said: "I haven’t bounced back and I want nothing more than to not cry daily and return to some type of normality.”

The court was told that Farrar watched the woman buy groceries before following her and snatching her bag.

Avon and Somerset Police arrested him on New Year's Day 2023.

The victim said the incident had a “huge” impact on her health and that she no longer leaves her home alone.

She said: “I cannot remember the male’s face which taunts me every day. I am constantly looking over my shoulder, worried that he is near.

"My mental health has declined since the incident.”

She added: “He has taken so much from me and it is unforgiveable.

“I pray every night for justice, not just for me but for my family. They are so worried about me and I feel that I am a burden to them as I cannot go about my daily life without them.

“I just want my life back. I want to be the person I was before."

​DC Redine Carter, the investigating officer, said: “She has spoken incredibly bravely about the effect this incident has had on her life over the last 19 months and I hope this prison sentence will allow her to return to some sort of normality.”

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