TWO men who planned and executed a street mugging in a bid to feed one of them's heroin addiction have been jailed for three and a half years.

Their victim, a 67-year-old woman, fell to the ground and was dragged along as her handbag was stolen.

A judge passing sentence at Preston Crown County told Gary Marsh and Stephen Grice it was a terrible crime.

Judge Gill Ruaux also said: "People attacked in the street in this way very often have great difficulty in ever feeling safe on the streets again. People should be able to walk the streets of this land without fear."

Marsh, 33, and Grice, 22, both of Westham Street, Lancaster, both pleaded guilty to a robbery carried out on May 25 this year.

Miss Judith McCullough, prosecuting, said Doreen Jackson was walking along Princess Crescent, Morecambe, when a neighbour looking out of her window saw a man swing around and lunge towards the woman. Mrs Jackson was grabbed by the right arm and pulled very hard. This caused her to fall to the ground.

When she was on the ground Grice grabbed the bag. He tried to pull it from her grip and she ended up being dragged along the ground.

After getting the bag he was seen to get into a Mondeo car driven by Marsh. A witness gave chase in a car, contacted police via his mobile phone and the vehicle was stopped by police.

Both defendants made full and frank admissions to officers. Marsh explained that Grice had a heroin addiction and they had driven with the intention of finding someone to rob.

Mr Russell Davies, for Marsh, said over the last two years the defendant had lost his self-respect, his money and savings, his job and had been declared bankrupt.

"All the things he has lost, he has lost because of the strength of his relationship and feelings for Stephen Grice. He doesn't blame him though."

He felt anxiety and trepidation at facing prison.

Mr Chris Hudson, for Grice, said there were no similar offences among the defendant's previous convictions. He had never been in custody before.

He added: "Addiction to a Class A drug was the reason for his offending. The plot was hatched within hours of the offence. The plan was fairly rudimentary."