A TEENAGER who stalked and mugged a pensioner, has been jailed for 15 months.

Ricardo Dunn, 17, thought he should get "slammed" for what he had done, but would rather have a chance to prove he could live an honest life, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The court was told how his 60-year-old victim was traumatised by what happened and was frightened of going out alone.

Sentencing Dunn, Judge Ian Webster, sitting with two magistrates, said people would be outraged if he was not sent to custody.

He added there were too many street robberies by young men of his age, usually under the influence of drugs.

Dunn, of no fixed address, then staying with his grandmother in Burnley, admitted robbery and was committed for sentence by Pennine magistrates.

William Staunton, prosecuting, said the woman was walking in Burnley, at about 10.30am, and became increasingly nervous when she sensed she was being followed.

She turned to confront the defendant and then crossed the road where she saw two workmen and thought she would be all right.

She continued walking and then suddenly felt her bag being grabbed. The victim resisted, but Dunn ran off with the woman's bag, leaving her very shaken.

A passing postman gave a description of a man he had seen running and four days later, the defendant was arrested.

He said he owed some money to a drug dealer and apologised for the distress he had caused.

Mr Staunton said the victim was traumatised and frightened of being mugged again.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Dunn, was a young man with some very good qualities.

He had slipped into bad ways, particularly with taking drugs.

The offence was committed on the spur of the moment and Dunn expressed remorse.

He was very frank with police and very much regretted what he had done. Dunn had been put under pressure to take amphetamine and cocaine.

Mr Baldwin added when the defendant was asked what he thought should happen to him, Dunn said he ought to get "slammed" but he would rather have a chance to prove that he could live an honest life.

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