CHRISTOPHER WHITEHOUSE

A man accused of attempting to steal a handbag from an elderly woman, during which he dragged her along the ground, is set to begin a three-year prison sentence.

Christopher Whitehouse attempted to seize the bag from a pensioner shopping at the Mander Centre.

Surveillance footage revealed that he followed the woman from a bank in Wolverhampton city centre, where she had withdrawn £100 from her pension, a court heard.

The incident occurred around 4:30 pm on September 10, 2018, when Whitehouse, 31 years old, struck as the woman and her daughter paused at a photo booth inside the shopping centre.

He reached out quickly and grabbed the handbag’s handle as he passed, but the woman, who lives in Wolverhampton, had twisted the strap around her right hand.

The force of the grab caused her to be pulled off her feet, according to prosecutor Ms.

Suzanne Francis at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Rather than releasing the bag, Whitehouse held on tightly and tried to rip it away from her while she was being pulled.

As they reached the top of an escalator, onlookers began to gather.

At that point, he shifted his story, claiming he had only accidentally caught the bag and was attempting to help the woman regain her footing.

The woman’s daughter believed his explanation and allowed him to leave.

However, CCTV footage from the shopping centre painted a different picture, clearly showing that he targeted the bag intentionally.

The victim, who had recently recovered from cancer, said of her experience, “I was frightened, worried and shocked, but I want the police to prevent other elderly people from suffering at his hands in the future.” Defence lawyer Mr.

Jon Roe stated that Whitehouse was remorseful and ashamed.

He explained that his client’s actions stemmed from a drug addiction developed after a breakup, which had left him living in hostel accommodation.

Whitehouse had taken drugs the night before the incident, which he claimed was a wake-up call for him to change his life.

Since then, he had sought help for his addiction and was attempting to rebuild his life.

His family had also allowed him to move back into their home.

Whitehouse, from Green Lane, Tettenhall, who had seven previous convictions involving twelve offences, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

Judge Nicholas Bacon QC sentenced him to three years in prison, calling the act cowardly and noting the victim’s bravery.

The judge also remarked that it was fortunate her injuries were not more severe, attributing their lesser impact to luck rather than good judgment.