A MAN who robbed an 86-year-old woman in a Hampshire town centre has been locked up for 30 months.

Sergio Santos, 20, targeted the "vulnerable" pensioner in West Street, Fareham, and made off with her handbags.

He later used her bank card to obtain goods worth a total of £40 in McDonald's and McColl's.

Santos, of Williams Close in Gosport was later charged with robbery and two counts of fraud, which he admitted at Portsmouth Crown Court.

He was sentenced to a total of 30 months in a young offenders' institution.

The investigating officer, DC Daryl Hillier, said: “This was a crime involving a vulnerable 86-year-old woman who could not defend herself.

"I hope the sentence provides some closure to the victim on this traumatic experience.

“I’d like to thank the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Fareham, which helped this investigation. PCSO Ann Adams, especially, as her efforts were instrumental in securing this conviction.”

The robbery occurred on December 9 last year at 4.40pm.

Santos was handed a 30-month sentence for robbery and a two-month sentence for each count of fraud by false representation. All three terms will run concurrently.