A WOMAN who robbed two 'vulnerable' men, leaving one with a broken hip, has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Natasha Stevens, 28, of no fixed address, appeared in Reading Crown Court via video link from prison on Monday, February 24.

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Stevens pleaded guilty to robbing a 77-year-old along with a group of offenders, as well as a second count of robbery, which involved Stevens approaching a 68-year-old man as he withdrew cash at King Street, Reading, and grabbing money from him.

As she took his money, he fell to the ground and suffered a broken hip, which has been a 'life changing' injury for him, the court heard.

CCTV shown in court shows the man attempting to grab his money back from Stevens, before falling and being dragged along as Stevens held on.

She then left with his money.

Lisa Stewart, defending Stevens, said: "The harm [in the second robbery] was unintended" and that it had resulted from Stevens grabbing for the money, rather than any intention to cause harm to the victim.

Judge Angela Morris responded: "This is a vulnerable individual in terms of his fragility and he had a walking stick.

"This has caused serious physical and psychological harm.

"He is now housebound, with no family or friends to support him."

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Ms Stewart then said that Stevens had not seen the victim's walking stick, which was placed over his arm as he withdrew the money.

A statement written by the victim, which was read to the court, said: "I was admitted to Royal Berkshire Hospital for a broken hip.

"I was kept in hospital for around a week before being discharged back to my home address."

He added: "I have no living family and few friends and am unable to go out and buy food for myself."

The court heard how he now relies on the help of police and volunteers and finds being housebound 'isolating'.

Sentencing Stevens for the two counts of robbery, judge Morris said of the CCTV footage: "He [the second victim] is dragged by you, causing him to fall to the floor because he is a man who who needed the use of a walking stick.

"He suffered a broken hip and had to undergo surgery." She added: "Both victims were elderly and there seems to me a degree of targetting but I am not going to say this was totally targeted.

"Mr Leary was clearly frail."

She said: "You have been addicted to drugs for for many years and you have had a difficult time and battled through a terrible upbringing, with appalling neglect from your parents.

"You are taking on board the help you get in prison to rid yourself of the addiction and I accept that you are remorseful."

Stevens was sentenced for both cases concurrently, totalling four years in prison.