A woman who was robbed in broad daylight in Bradford city centre now says she has to wear flat shoes so she can run away the next time.

She was walking back to her car after finishing work for the day when the mugger pounced in the Goitside area, grabbing at her handbag.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the usually busy street was deserted as she looked around desperately for someone to help her.

When the man then looked into her laptop bag, she asked him if he was after money and he replied: ‘Yes.’ She took out her purse which he grabbed from her, injuring her hand when he bent back her thumb.

The woman then said he had left her with no money to pay for the car park and he returned a £5 note.

She then pointed out that the robbery would be caught on the city’s CCTV cameras.

He then dropped another £5 note, gave her his name and went down on his knees begging her not to get him arrested.

Fortunately, a male pedestrian saw what was happening and chased him off.

Yesterday, Eric Whike, 49, of Market Street, Thornton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for 27 months.

Recorder Judy Dawson said the woman must have been terrified and the robbery would have affected her deeply.