A NEWPORT man was jailed for 18 months after following a pensioner from a cash machine and trying to pick her pocket.

Anthony Wainfur, 30, of Commercial Road, Pill, appeared at Newport Crown Court via video-link.

David Wooler, prosecuting, said: “At 8am on September 21, Muriel Bruce was checking her bank balance at the post office in Pill.

“She put her money in her pocket in a plastic wallet normally containing her bingo cards.

“She noticed a male walking up and down. About ten minutes later, she was walking towards the side entrance to Asda in Pill.

“As she was walking up the steps she felt movement in her pocket.

“She turned around and saw the same male that had been watching her at the cash point. Clearly he had been attempting to pick-pocket her and had in fact succeeded in getting the cards out.”

The victim screamed and Wainfur threw down the wallet and ran away.

“He was recognised by Ms Bruce as she had grown up knowing members of his family.

In a witness statement, 78-year-old Muriel Bruce said: “I would describe my normal self as a happy person, independent, I like to go out every day on my own to do the shopping.

“I’m normally outgoing, I even call the bingo in my spare time.

“I have trouble with my heart, diabetes and arthritis.

“Since Wainfur tried to steal my wallet with my cards in it, I’m a changed person.

“I haven’t been sleeping at night, I’m scared in my own house.

“Today, I planned to go shopping, I got my things together and I wanted to go out but I got butterflies in my tummy and I just couldn’t.

“What sort of person could go that – follow an old lady and steal from her?

“I felt like easy pickings.”

Defending, Steve Thomas said Wainfur that had tried to steal the money to buy money to fund his drug habit.

The court heard Wainfur had a substantial record, appearing in court 42 times for 120 offences.

Judge Daniel Williams told Wainfur: “You have a dreadful list of previous convictions.”

He added that the offences were so serious that only possible sentence that could be imposed for them was on of immediate imprisonment.

“Your victim was extremely vulnerable; she almost fell when you went through her pocket.”

Wainfur admitted theft and breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.