A FEMALE mugger who pulled a pensioner to the ground in a “tug of war” tussle over her handbag has been jailed for two years.

Saranne Turpin pounced on 73-year-old Norma Simpson from behind in broad daylight in Thornton Road, Bradford, on the afternoon of July 22 last year.

Mrs Simpson, who bravely held on to her bag until passers-by intervened to help her, was left with cuts and grazes and in great distress, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Turpin, 37, of School Ridge, Thornton, Bradford, continued in the robbery attempt after Mrs Simpson had fallen down in the street, prosecutor David McGonigal said.

Mrs Simpson was shouting: “Give it back” as she clung on to her bag until help arrived.

Turpin walked off but was arrested when a passing motorist saw what had happened and recognised her, the court was told.

She refused to answer any questions from the police and did not turn up for her appearance at the crown court.

Turpin was arrested on a warrant and pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and to failing to answer to her bail.

She was then remanded in custody for sentence.

Mr McGonigal said Turpin had previous convictions for making a false representation and handling stolen goods.

He said she targeted Mrs Simpson because she was a vulnerable victim.

“This wasn’t just one pull of the handbag. It was a persistent attempt,” Mr McGonigal said.

In mitigation, Turpin’s barrister, Ian Hudson, conceded there was “a tug of war” for the handbag and Mrs Simpson ended up on the floor.

But he told the court that no gratuitous violence was used by Turpin. She had both hands on the bag and just kept pulling at it.

The judge, Recorder Simon Batiste, asked if Mrs Simpson had provided a victim personal statement detailing the physical and psychological impact of the robbery but was told she had not.

He then jailed Turpin for two years.