A HEROIN-ADDICTED street robber who targeted women has been jailed for seven years.

Anthony Smith snatched handbags from three elderly women and also targeted other females in Rawtenstall over a three week period. He also snatched over £100 cash during a knifepoint raid at an off-licence.

A judge who handed down the sentence at Preston Crown Court told him: "The courts must impose sentences that are not only a severe punishment on the offender but which also maintain public confidence in the criminal justice system".

Smith, 28, of Holland Avenue, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to four robberies and two thefts.

The first offence was a robbery at Booze Busters off-licence in Bank Street, Rawtenstall, on June 22 this year.

Kevin Donnelly, prosecuting, said Smith asked a female sales assistant for cigarettes. Then as she scanned the items over the till he produced a Stanley knife and told her: "Give me all the money. Don't panic. Don't press anything. Hurry up." He went on to snatch notes and ran out of the shop.

Five days later a woman had finished work and gone to her car parked on a DIY store car park. The driver's door opened and Smith demanded she give him her bag. His left hand was clenched into a fist.

The defendant later told police he had used a cash card from the bag to obtain £300 from a cashpoint machine.

Just over a week later a woman living on Burnley Road had just been picked up in a car by her daughter when the passenger door opened and a man asked for the time.

He then shouted "Give me the bag. I've got a knife" and held what seemed to be a Stanley knife in his hands. He fled with a handbag containing £230 cash and other items.

The next offence was carried out on July 11. A woman was walking towards Asda in Rawtenstall when she felt a jolt and looked up to see a young man running off with her handbag.

The final offences both occurred two days later. A woman had been to church and was walking up a ginnel between Bacup Road and Bank Street at lunchtime when she suddenly felt her bag being snatched.

Just over an hour later Smith struck again as a woman with a hip complaint walked in the Valley shopping centre. She suddenly felt her bag being pulled and tried to keep hold of it. The woman, who was in her 70s, raised her stick in an effort to protect herself. She was pushed to the ground by Smith who ran off with the bag.

The defendant was arrested on July 20 after he was seen loitering. At first he gave a false name, but when cautioned the defendant's eyes filled with tears. He told a police officer: "It was me. Heroin. I am so sorry and ashamed."

Tim Ashmole, defending, said: "These offences were committed, not only out of desperation for his desire to consume heroin, but also out of desperation because of financial dire straits he found himself in."

Today Detective Chief Inspector Mark Gray welcomed the sentence. He said: "I am delighted with the nature of the investigation, the support from the victims and witnesses in securing the conviction and, ultimately, the sentence received."