A bogus charity collector who attacked an 80-year-old woman before stealing her purse has been jailed for more than six years.

In August, thug Paul Stone knocked on the pensioner's door in North Street, Strood, claiming he was collecting money for charity.

When the victim turned got her purse the 46-year-old, of no fixed address, pushed her in the chest and knocked her to the ground before grabbing the purse and running.

Officers arrived quickly on the scene after being alerted by neighbours and tried to search for Stone.

They were unsuccessful, so focused on examining CCTV and were able to identify the thief, who was captured emptying the purse into his pockets or chucking bits on the floor.

Police were able to recover the items Stone had thrown on the floor and identified them as belonging to the victim.

The day after the incident, a PC in the town recognised Stone in Gillingham High Street and arrested him.

He was charged with robbery and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday. He was sentenced to six years and six months imprisonment.

Detective Constable Emma Laimbeer, of the Kent Crime Squad, said: "Paul Stone callously preyed upon an elderly and vulnerable victim, who he knew stood no chance in defending herself.

"He waited until she began to unzip her purse before assaulting her with a clenched fist, which he pushed hard into her chest causing her to fall.

"The impact of Stone’s cruel actions continue to have a deep and profound impact on the victim’s daily life and I only hope this prison sentence will now at least provide some sense of reassurance and safety."