A PENSIONER has told how a mugging attempt at a cashpoint machine has had a devastating impact on her life.

The 74-year-old struggled with Gary Innes as he tried to grab £140 from her hands outside of a shop in Hartlepool town centre.

Innes, 33, was jailed for two years and eight months by a Teesside Crown Court judge who told him: "The harm to her was significant."

The victim told in a statement how she had used the cashpoint on Murray Street for 20 years but was now afraid to, and has had to take a bus instead of walking to places.

She said: "The incident has frightened me so much that I start to have panic attacks and get out of breath when I need to leave the house. When I do go out, I look over my shoulders.

"It has had a massive effect on my life as I don't go out anywhere near as much as I used to."

The court heard how the woman bravely held onto her cash and passers-by intervened before Innes ran off.

The victim was pulled to the ground in the brief incident on April 23, and hurt her back and wrist.

Innes, of Stephen Street, Hartlepool, who has just one previous offence on his record – an actual bodily harm assault ten years ago – admitted attempted robbery.

His barrister Stephen Constantine said he had struggled with a heroin addiction, but had never resorted to crime to pay for his habit.

Innes was not able to get his prescription for his methadone substitute, and acted "completely out of character", said the barrister, who added: "He has bitterly regretted his actions since it took place, and he is determined that there shall be no repeat."

Judge Howard Crowson told Innes: "It was only her strength that prevented it from being successful."