A MAN who punched a 70-year-old to the ground and stole his wallet has been jailed for four years and nine months.

Steven Milner, 51, has been sentenced following the attack in Westwood, Scarborough, last month.

After assaulting the victim in broad daylight, Milner ripped the wallet from his jacket. He used so much force that he walked off with the wallet and torn jacket in his hand.

The victim was left shaken as Milner fled and used his bank card to buy alcohol.

Scarborough officers recognised Milner from a description and located and arrested him less than 40 minutes after the incident. They worked with detectives at Scarborough CID to piece together CCTV evidence that linked Milner to the offences.

He denied everything in police interview, claiming a fictitious man handed him the victim’s property minutes after the robbery.

Milner, of Eastfield, Scarborough, then pleaded guilty to robbery and fraud and was jailed by a judge at York Crown Court last week.

After the sentencing, Detective Constable Nick Burton of Scarborough CID said: “This was a vicious but cowardly robbery which would have been extremely distressing for the victim.

“But swift police work and a detailed investigation that linked Milner to the crime helped take another robber off our streets. Our communities are safer as a result.”