A violent and determined bag snatcher who targeted vulnerable women shoppers has been jailed for four years and five months.

Terrie Geddes, 23, will have her unborn child in prison after a judge branded her crimes “deliberate and despicable.”

Geddes, of Wycliffe Gardens, Shipley, pleaded guilty to two charges of robbery and one of attempted robbery.

Prosecutor Ken Green told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that Geddes’ first victim, Yvonne Coleman, 52, was attacked on October 1 last year in the grounds of St Paul’s Church, Shipley.

Mrs Coleman, who had been shopping at Asda, suffered an injured finger when her bag was torn violently from her. She was left “devastated” after losing her purse containing £580.

On March 18, Geddes robbed Lillian Turner, 82, as the pensioner walked arm-in-arm with her husband after shopping at Asda in Shipley.

Mrs Turner was thrown to the ground and needed hospital treatment for a head injury.

Geddes snapped the handles on the bag and made off with Mrs Turner’s purse containing £100.

On April 17, Geddes pounced on Helen Young, 66, on Castle Road, Shipley. She was walking to her car after shopping at Asda.

Mrs Young lost her hat and glasses in the attack, but hung on to her bag, although she was dragged to the ground.

Geddes put her foot on Mrs Young’s chest in her determined bid to prise the bag from her.

Mrs Young’s cries for help alerted passers-by and a Police Community Support Officer, and Geddes was apprehended at the scene.

Geddes’ flat was searched and a distinctive coat linked her to a previous robbery. Mrs Coleman’s empty purse was also found at the property.

Geddes, who has convictions for shoplifting, battery and resisting a police officer, was held in prison awaiting sentence.

Her barrister, Rebecca Young, said she “wept with genuine shame” when details of her crimes were read out to her.

Geddes told Miss Young: “I don’t know what happened to me. I did not plan to be that person.”

Miss Young said Geddes was no longer taking drugs and was determined to be a good mother.

Judge John Potter told Geddes: “This was deliberate and despicable behaviour towards vulnerable people.”

He accepted that her remorse was genuine and said she faced the challenge of having her baby in prison.

DC Simon Howroyd, who was investigating the robberies, said: “Geddes clearly had little regard for her victims and the impact of her actions.

“These attacks were cowardly and violent in nature.

“I am glad to see that she has now been removed from our streets and the potential to cause further harm to the community of Shipley.”