A MAN who attacked and robbed a woman as she walked through Cambridge on Christmas Day has been jailed for six years.

The 67-year-old had walked along Fitzroy Street and had reached the junction of Eden Street, near Cafe Nero, at about 1.20pm when she was approached from behind by Michael O’Loughlin.

O’Loughlin, 29, of High Street, Cherry Hinton, grabbed her around the neck and pulled her to the ground, causing her to fall unconscious momentarily, before stealing her handbag.

He fled leaving the victim on the floor, shocked and shaken but not badly injured. She was helped up by a man and his daughter who called police.

O’Loughlin was found guilty of robbery after a week-long trial at Cambridge Crown Court and was sentenced to six years yesterday (Monday). He also received another three months to run consecutively for the possession of a mobile phone while on remand in prison.

Judge Gareth Hawkesworth stated that at the time of the offence O’Loughlin ‘was dangerous and out of control due to his class A drug addiction’ and he considered him ‘a serious risk of causing serious harm’.

Detective Constable Sam Constable said: “This was a cowardly and despicable attack on a vulnerable woman who was left extremely shaken by the ordeal.

“This was one of the worst street robberies we’ve had to date and O’Loughlin was arrested after we received some intelligence following a press appeal.

“He used an enormous amount of force on a small woman who wasn’t strong enough to fight back.

“We will not tolerate violence and offenders can expect to feel the full force of the law.”