A “plucky” pensioner thwarted a thief trying to steal her handbag before members of the public tackled him to the ground.

The elderly woman, in her 80s, was waiting for a bus when Sujeepan Mangaleswaren grabbed her bag and tried to steal it.

Mangaleswaren, 32, pulled the item with such force it lifted the woman, who was sat outside in Home Gardens, Dartford, onto her feet and eventually broke the handle.

He then tried to flee the scene but was tackled by members of the public who surrounded him and waited until police arrived and arrested him on May 3.

Mangaleswaren, of no fixed address, was later charged with attempted robbery and subsequently pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.

On Thursday (July 25) he was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer PC Thea Mazur said: “This man targeted a vulnerable pensioner thinking he could swiftly make off with the contents of her handbag.

“He did not bargain for the response from the plucky victim who refused to release her property, or the public-spirited intervention from local people who had seen his appalling actions.

“Mangaleswaren acted disgracefully without thought for the potential impact of his victim.

“Dartford will be a safer place now he is behind bars.”