A MAN is due in court charged in connection with an attack on an elderly woman who had her handbag stolen.

The 75-year-old was approached from behind and dragged her to the ground in Thornton Lea, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, at around 3.30pm on December 20.

The man ran off with the handbag through a cut onto Front Street by the RAOB Club and onto the Sustrans C2C track.

Police launched an investigation at the time and Peter Robinson, 31, from Greta Street North, Pelton, was arrested over the weekend.

He has since been charged with robbery.

Robinson is due at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on June 26.