A drug user who struggled with an 81-year-old woman in her flat before stealing £70 from her handbag has been jailed for four and a half years.

Dorothy Tennant fell to the ground in the hallway of her home while tussling with Rosalyn Edmonson who was trying to stop her calling for help.

Edmonson wept at Bradford Crown Court today as she was led to the cells after a jury convicted her of burglary.

After the case, the police paid tribute to Mrs Tennant’s courage in giving evidence to the court.

During the trial, the jury was told that Edmonson had previously borrowed money from Mrs Tennant while living in the same block of flats in Taunton House, Croscombe Walk, Bradford.

On March 19, she knocked on Mrs Tennant’s door and when the pensioner tried to shut her out, stuck her foot in the doorway.

Mrs Tennant told how she went to grab the intercom security system and a struggle developed as Edmonson tried to prevent her calling for help.

Mrs Tennant said she fell to the floor. Edmonson helped her up before helping herself to £70 from her purse in the living room.

Edmonson, who had since moved to Long Lee, Keighley, told the jury Mrs Tennant tripped and fell over the doormat.

She claimed the pensioner had invited her round to deliver a bottle of perfume.

She said she had previously sold things to Mrs Tennant to pay for drugs and other items.

Judge Jonathan Rose told Edmonson that her denial of the offence had forced Mrs Tennant to go through the ordeal of coming to court to give evidence.

After the case, Detective Constable Dean Smith, of Bradford South CID, said: “We welcome the strong sentence given to Edmonson today.

“She refused to accept any responsibility for this crime which meant the elderly victim had to give evidence at court which she did with great courage.

“The length of her sentence reflects the serious nature of the offence and should serve as a warning to others.”