A robber who mugged a woman who was on her way to play bingo has escaped a jail sentence because of a medical condition.

Robert Keene, 31, dragged his 58-year-old victim into the street when she refused to let go of her handbag.

The woman was walking along Castle Street in Banbury, towards Gala Bingo on December 30 last year, when Keene grabbed her bag.

Keene, 31, of Gatteridge Street, Banbury, ran up to her from behind at about 6.30pm and grabbed the strap.

But she hung on to the bag, which contained cash, bank cards, photographs and gift vouchers.

The victim shouted at her attacker and was dragged into the middle of the road during the struggle.

Keene eventually tore the bag out of her hands and ran off, but the woman chased after him.

Police were called and caught up with Keene a short time later, when they saw that the bag's straps were sticking out of his jacket.

He admitted robbing the woman to pay for his heroin habit. Sentencing was adjourned in April while medical evidence was prepared and Keene's medical condition came to light.

Judge Julian Hall said: "You committed a very frightening handbag snatch in the street on a lady who didn't deserve it.

" You had, since that offence, some extraordinarily sobering news about your own medical condition."

Judge Hall gave Keene an 18-month drug treatment and testing order. He also ordered Keene to complete an 18-month community rehabilitation order and drug counselling.