A PAIR of rough sleepers who robbed a woman in broad daylight as she used a cash machine have been jailed.

Richard Hunt and Terry Horwat moved in on the young woman as she tried to withdraw some money from a town centre hole in the wall.

While 34-year-old Hunt grabbed her from behind in a bear hug his 30-year-old accomplice was meant to grab the cash.

But Horwat, who was so drunk at 11.20am he could recall little of the attack, missed the £300 she was withdrawing only taking her purse, which contained about £30.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that the woman had gone to the Nationwide ATM in The Parade on Wednesday, January 25.

"She became aware of these two defendants, one started to push against her side. She asked him to 'Get back please'," he said.

"She moved him away, that must have been Mr Horwat. Another pair of arms took her in a bear hug from behind.

"She was able to shrug, with her hands and shoulders, and move him away from her. She was frightened, scared, and told him to f*** off.

"This man then grabbed her purse from her right hand to which she had just placed her cash point card. The money in fact hadn't come out of the machine. She was able to grab hold of and pocket the £300 as it came out of the machine."

As the two attackers ran off she went in to the bank where she said she became 'hysterical' as staff called the police.

Mr Meeke said the town centre CCTV was looked at and the pair were immediately recognised by police and street wardens.

Hunt and Horwat, both of no fixed abode, each pleaded guilty to robbery.

The court heard that Hunt had a long history of crime including burglary and two robberies.

He was jailed for five-and-a-half years in 2009 after he car jacked a woman at knifepoint and forced her to drive him to a cash machine on Commercial Road.

Alex Daymond, for Hunt, said that he knew he was facing a lengthy jail term for what he had done.

He said he had a history of drug addiction, which was behind all of his offending, and is sorry for what he did.

Gareth James, for Horwat, said he had problems with both drink and drugs and like his accomplice was homeless at the time.

Jailing them Recorder Patrick Clarkson QC said: "There must have been a considerable amount of distress and fear engendered in the victim.

"Both of you two were under the influence of drink and drugs and had slept out rough in the streets, which is a tragedy in itself.

"Both of you at the end of the day are convicted robbers and the only outcome I have got is to sentence you to prison."

He sentenced to Hunt three years and Horwat to two years and eight months in prison.