A drug addict from Northfleet who snatched a woman’s purse has been jailed for 16 months,

Ashley Adams, 21, grabbed the purse from the woman in Bentley Street in Gravesend on October 27 at 10:30pm.

He pretended to be on his phone as he approached the woman from behind but then slowed down to match her pace before grabbing the purse and running away.

Adams then removed the victim’s bank card before dumping the purse in a nearby street.

The woman reported the incident to police, who suspected Adams was responsible from the description she provided.

He was arrested by officers who had been carrying out enquiries into a separate incident in the area several hours later, and admitted his guilt in custody.

Adams pleaded guilty to robbery prior to his sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court on February 13.

His sentence also includes two months for possessing an imitation firearm in a public place and two months for the theft of alcohol from a shop, both on New Year’s Eve 2016.

Detective Constable Mike Champion of Kent Police said: “The victim of the robbery in this case suffered a terrifying experience at the hands of Ashley Adams, who gave little thought to her welfare and only cared about how he was going to fund his drug addiction.

“He is a young man who has unfortunately taken a wrong turn in life, and I hope he concentrates on getting the help he needs while he serves his time in prison.”