A MAN who robbed an 87-year-old woman, then broke out of his handcuffs in the back of a police car has been sentenced to seven years in jail.

Leonard Douglas, 26, of Croft Road, Old Town, snatched pensioner Edith Davidson's purse as she was walking near Shaw Ridge in West Swindon on July 31, 2007.

PC Lee Mayhew arrested Douglas, but he escaped from a police car on his way into custody at Gablecross police station.

Douglas then clambered into the front of the car, causing the car to crash, and escaped from the passenger side, pulling the police officer along the road from the moving vehicle.

Philip Warren, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court that Douglas had a string of previous convictions. Giving details of some of the crimes, Mr Warren said Douglas had threatened a cyclist with a knife and demanded a lift in 2001, and in 2006 kidnapped a toddler and subjected her to a terrifying high speed chase along the M5 last year.

"These offences must have been very soon after his release from the previous sentence," said Mr Warren.

Leroy Redhead, defending Douglas, said: "He's a young man who's had a pretty difficult upbringing and needs some encouragement and hope "He needs the intervention of probation services to help him lead a crime-free life.

"This is evidence of him crying out for help, rather than that of a man bent on committing crime."

Sentencing Douglas, Judge Mr Recorder Oldland ordered him to serve five years for the robbery, plus an extra two years for the escape attempt.

Judge Oldland said: "You were convicted of the offence of robbery, the robbery of Edith Davidson, an 87-year-old woman.

"She was alone and undoubtedly vulnerable because of her age. In my judgement you targeted her because you considered her an easy target.

"You pleaded guilty to count two, escaping lawful custody. At the time the police car was travelling along a busy main road. In my view not only was PC Mayhew endangered but so too were pedestrians and other drivers."

Chief investigating officer Det Con Gareth Kitchener said: "Mr Douglas is a very dangerous individual, with a history of offences against other people.

"With regards to his attempted escape from justice, it goes to show the good work of Swindon police in apprehending him quickly and special mention should go to PC Mayhew who apprehended him in perilous circumstances."