A JUDGE has called on Post Office bosses to show some "kindness" and help out a customer who had hundreds of pounds snatched as she was paying her bills.

The woman lost £440 when loitering Barry Taylor struck at the counter inside the McColls convenience store in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, two weeks ago.

She placed her cash on the counter, and Taylor leant over, grabbed it and fled, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He was identified by police from CCTV, but by the time he was tracked down, all the money had been spent..

In a statement, the victim said: "He had no right to take my money. I now have none to pay my rent or other bills.

"I am in complete shock. I'm just glad he never hurt anyone."

Taylor was on bail for a burglary in Redcar in September when he struck on February 2 - an offence which left the occupant of the flat he targeted suffering a mild heart attack.

The woman was at a hair appointment when Taylor got into the ground-floor property on Queen Street and stole a 32-inch television.

The intruder got a friend to sell the stolen set for a £10 pay-off, and Taylor spent the rest on alcohol.

The victim said: "Whenever I hear a noise at the rear of my address, I have to make sure it's not the burglar returning.

"I have had chest pains and a shortage of breath. I went to the doctors and I was informed I had a mild heart attack. I believe this is a direct consequence."

Judge Howard Crowson said: "I am sorry it appears she may be the one that bears the burden. It may be something that is given greater consideration to, and it may be that the Post Office now realise that she is in that position and appreciate there is an element of it which seems unfair.

"I hope very much, instead, they will simply take a kind view of the matter and consider whether or not they may be able to assist one of their customers who has lost in that way while standing at their counter."

Taylor, of Fabian Road, Eston, admitted two burglaries and was jailed for 20 months.