A DRUG addict who snatched a woman's purse tried to escape by leaping through a bedroom window when police called.

Thomas Hammond had been chased and was seen to enter a house with another man shortly after he had run off with a pensioner's purse containing £30 in cash and a TV licence.

Hammond, aged 34, of New Lane, Breightmet, Bolton, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence for theft and was jailed for 12 months by Judge John Roberts.

Prosecutor Wendy Neilson said the 63-year-old woman had visited Kentmere Road Post Office and was leaving another shop when she saw a man outside.

As she was leaving the shop Hammond suddenly snatched the purse from her hand and ran off. As the woman shouted, a young man nearby gave chase and saw Hammond enter a house in Levens Drive with a second man he thought he recognised.

Police forced their way into the house and Hammond tried to escape by jumping out of the bedroom window but was caught.

He admitted snatching the purse and using the £30 to buy drugs which he and the other man both injected at the house.

Later £30 in cash was received by the police which Hammond claimed to have had before he snatched the purse.

Hammond had a long record for offences of dishonesty, drugs, possessing a blade, driving while disqualified and non-payment of fines.

Defending, Mark Savill said Hammond felt genuine remorse and deeply ashamed that he had stolen the purse of a pensioner. He was now drug-free having under detoxification while on remand.

Jailing him for 12 months, Judge John Roberts said that the theft was a serious offence which justified a custodial sentence. He made an order that the £30 be returned to the victim. Judge Roberts said the offence had been aggravated by the victim's vulnerability and her age and that courts had to pass deterrent sentences.