A PAIR of drug addicts who pinned a pensioner to his mobility scooter as they robbed him of £150 cash have avoided jail.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Amanda Richardson and Jane Gott, both 34, “targeted” 76-year-old Leslie Brown as he was returning home after shopping in Keighley on July 30 last year.

Prosecutor Felicity Hemlin said that the two defendants approached Mr Brown on Low Street, each grabbing an arm so he “couldn’t break free.” The pair then rifled through his pockets until Richardson found his wallet and snatched it.

A nearby witness tried to stop the women by saying he was filming the incident on his mobile phone, and the pair ran away. They returned a few minutes later, with Richardson throwing the then empty wallet back at Mr Brown, shouting: “You can have it, I don’t want it.”

Miss Hemlin said: “The victim was targeted due to his perceived vulnerability. These two women held this man down so he couldn’t escape.”

The court was told that Richardson, of Heber Street, Keighley, had 46 previous convictions for 97 offences, only being released from an eight-week prison sentence for theft shortly before the incident.

Gott, of Springbank Rise, Keighley, also had previous convictions for shoplifting and theft.

The pair both pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery.

The court was told that both defendants had known Mr Brown and were remorseful for their actions.

Both were said to have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the robbery, but were now seeking help for their “terrible” addictions.

Judge Neil Davey QC told the defendants: “Your victim was a 76-year-old man sitting in his mobility scooter unable to defend himself. You decided to rob him because he was an easy target. Each of you held him down and rifled through his pockets until you found his wallet. It was a wicked offence to commit, and you should both be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves.”

Judge Davey said he could suspend Richardson’s two year-sentence for 12 months due to the five-and-a-half months she had already spent in custody. She must also complete a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement, 100 hours of unpaid work, and pay £75 compensation. Gott was jailed for 16 months, suspended for a year, given a six-month drug rehabilitation order and a three-month curfew, and must also pay £75 to Mr Brown.