A ROBBER who knocked a woman to the ground and stole her handbag in an alleyway attack has been jailed.

Brian Huntley, 20, admitted attacking Deborah Churchwood, 36, as she walked home down an alleyway between Station Road and Cronshaw Close in Didcot on May 4.

Jonathan Stone, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday that Huntley grabbed her from behind and snatched her handbag, which contained her mobile phone.

Mr Stone added: “He pushed her, causing her to fall backwards, and she let go of the handbag.

“He pushed her again with such force she fell over and banged her head on the concrete pavement.

“She said she was scared and frightened.”

The handbag was later found discarded in a garden.

It was returned to the victim who then handed it to the police.

Blood samples found on a bank card inside the handbag matched Huntley’s DNA.

Mrs Churchwood suffered cuts and bruises and Huntley fled on a bicycle, the court was told.

Lucy Corrin, defending, told the court Huntley was ashamed of himself.

She said: “She was not targeted.

“This was an impulsive act for his own gain, which he bitterly regrets.”

Justice John Saunders jailed Huntley, of Woodhill Drive, Wantage, for eight months.

He said: “Because of what you did I’m afraid I have no alternative but to send to you custody.”