A man, of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment for robbing an elderly couple in Poole.
Marek Merrifield, 38, pleaded guilty to the offence on Wednesday 16 July 2014 Bournemouth Crown Court and was sentenced on the same day.
The court heard evidence that on Wednesday 27 November 2013, the couple were attacked while walking along Stalbridge Road in Poole. The 79-year-old woman was walking alongside her 84-year-old husband, who was in a mobility scooter when Merrifield grabbed her handbag from around her neck causing her to fall backwards. Her husband tried to intervene but Merrifield pushed him to the ground before fleeing into Hazelbury Road with her handbag.
Following an extensive police investigation enquiries led to Merrifield being arrested the following day. He was released on police bail and charged with offence of robbery on Friday 31 January 2014.
Detective Constable Will Burnett, of Bournemouth and Poole CID, said: “I welcome this sentence and hopefully it will bring some closure to the victims.
“It was fortunate that they were not seriously injured, however, they were very shaken up and are only just coming to terms with what happened to them.
“I praise the good work of all involved in bringing this offender to justice.”
