PURSE snatcher Simon Ambler - who has 123 convictions to his name - has been jailed after being caught stealing from elderly victims.

The Toothill crook helped himself to the contents of women’s handbags in shops across Swindon, stealing cash as well as sentimental possessions, including personal notes from a dead grandmother.

And he stole cash from the Samaritans charity shop during his latest crime spree.

Ambler, 30 was jailed for two years and eight months by Judge Robert Pawson, who said: “You deliberately targeted your victims for their vulnerability, particularly if they had young children which is a particularly mean offence.”

He had been sentenced to 24 weeks by magistrates last September for stealing from a 92-year-old while on a suspended sentence for identical offending.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how soon after his release he was back to his old ways. "I'm not going to outline all the details, it is very much a muchness. He is seen by various shoppers stealing their purses,” he said.

Ambler first targeted a mum with her nine-year-old in The Entertainer toy shop on November 16. The next day he struck again at Aldi in Westlea, and again a few days later, as well as at B&M Bargains at Bridgemead and Pep & Co in town over the following week.

Arrested and released on bail he did it again at Asda Wal-Mart and twice went to the Samaritans shop in Curtis Street to steal either from the till or charity boxes.

He was again arrested and bailed in January, but the following month he was at it again dipping into an 82-year-old’s handbag in the West Swindon Asda.

The court heard how on one occasion he jostled his victim and another time he was spotted by store staff, running off while shouting a volley of abuse.

Ambler pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and two of burglary. The court heard that among his lengthy list of previous there were 79 thefts from the person.

Catherine Flint, defending, said he had managed to stay out of trouble for a while after getting off drugs and starting a new relationship.But after his partner fell pregnant he feared she would leave him, as a previous girlfriend had, so he returned to his old ways.

She said he was sorry and ashamed of what he had done and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of an attack in prison.

“It is conceded that you targeted vulnerable women in a spate of offending which was a reversion to previous behaviour,” said the judge. “If they weren’t with young children then they were elderly. There was an element of considerable planning.

"On one occasion you took two hats which you changed during the offending.”