A REMORSEFUL robber sobbed in court as he heard how his attack on a pensioner had left her needing an operation and afraid to leave her home alone.

James Taylor wept in the dock while a judge read out a victim impact statement from the woman, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in the bag-snatch.

Police officer's son Taylor was today (Thursday) locked up for five years at Teesside Crown Court after he admitted charges of robbery and handling stolen goods.

Recorder Sarah Mallett told the 22-year-old that he had blighted the life of his victim by the daylight mugging in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, last July.

Robert Mochrie, mitigating, told the judge that Taylor was "embarrassed" and "deeply ashamed" about the attack - carried out to get money to buy drugs.

"An immediate custodial sentence must be passed today," said Mr Mochrie. "An immediate custodial sentence Mr Taylor himself feels he fully deserves."

The court heard how his victim was dragged along the ground on a cycle path as Taylor tried to wrestle her handbag from her near The Parkway centre.

Prosecutor, Victoria Lamballe, said the woman was taken to hospital and had her arm put in a sling, but, a year on, requires surgery to repair the painful injury.

Taylor was found hiding in the loft of his mother's home nearby an hour-and-a-half after the mugging - with £40 in his back pocket and his victim's mobile phone.

Mr Mochrie said Taylor, of Park Road North, Middlesbrough, faced a tough time in prison once other inmates discovered his victim was elderly and vulnerable.

Recorder Miss Mallett told him: "I can see that you are very upset as a result of hearing the impact it has had on her, and it is a credit to you that you are able to understand and empathise with the harm that has been done."