Ex Nelson soldier robbed two elderly women in their homes

Kyle Ashworth, 28, stole £400 from his first victim and then, less than a week later, stole £20 and a handful of coins from another.

Both victims were elderly ladies in their 80s, with one of the ladies partially sighted and the other frail and with poor mobility.

Ashworth, of Pine Street, Nelson, was deployed in Helmand Province in 2014 but was handed a dishonourable discharge from the forces in 2017.

His barriester, Josephe Allman, said after this his client's life “spun fully out of control” and he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his experiences.

Preston Crown Court heard how on January 18 of this year, Ashworth knocked on the door of Christine Porter, an 83-year-old woman who lives alone in Nelson, is partially sighted, and suffers from agoraphobia - fear of going outside.

She opened the door and saw Ashworth wearing all black, like, she says, he had been riding a motorbike.

He pushed past her, telling her to get back into the living room, which she did.

Ashworth then went through her kitchen drawers where Ms Porter had just put her purse.

The only item taken was a purse, though this contained around £400, a debit card, and a photo of her husband.

The second incident happened six days later on January 24, also in Nelson, this time the victim being an 85-year-old woman who was described as “frail, with poor mobility, and very vulnerable” by prosecuting barrister William Donnelly.

She opened the door to Ashworth and he was, again, wearing all black.

When she did not recognise him, she tried to push the door closed, but Ashworth held it open and again forced his way in.

He repeatedly asked the woman for money, all while holding, but never gesturing with or threatening to use, a knife.

She eventually told him where her purse was and he took £20 as well as a handful of coins from a pot on the side.

The woman went outside to call for help but she was dragged back inside by her waist by Ashworth and pushed to the floor, landing on her back.

Ashworth left the scene but was identified by CCTV and later arrested at his home address.

In a statement summarised in court, the victim of the second robbery, Mrs Nightingale, said: “I live alone in my bungalow.

"I’m housebound due to health issues, so it’s essential I can feel safe and secure.

“When the man knocked on my door I thought nothing of it but when he pushed his way in and demanded money I felt terrified.

“I’ve been vulnerable ever since. When I go to the door I feel anxious. The simple action I’ve carried out for years makes me feel scared, which is unfair.”

Mitigating for Ashworth, Mr Allman said it was “abundantly clear” where the “rapid spiral from a more than respectable life” came from, referencing his service in the army.

He added Ashworth’s time in custody from previous offending had helped him to address his problems.

He has been undergoing a PTSD therapy, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), which he has found “life-changing” after struggling with counselling and other traditional therapies.

Mr Allman said Ashworth is now able to talk about his experiences without physical manifestations of his PTSD as a result of the therapy.

He also said: “He’s full of nothing but remorse. The soldier is still in there and he knows how shameful what he’s done is. He is genuinely ashamed and that’s reflected in his guilty pleas.”

Sentencing, Recorder Daniel Prowse said: “You turned first of all to drinking and then to drug use to address the issues you had with your mental health. It’s sad indeed that was the impact on you.

“I am satisfied you are genuinely remorseful for what you did.

“They were despicable offences. It may well be Mrs Nightingale spends the rest of her life feeling the way she does.

“I’ve reduced your sentence to reflect your service to the country.”

Ashworth, who pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and possession of a knife, was jailed for nine years.