HARD-UP Ashley Brinkley was so low on funds after not being paid he followed a Swindon woman and grabbed her purse, a court heard.

Now he faces 18 months in prison after a security guard gave chase and wrestled the purse off him.

Brinkley, 22, of Small Acres, Blunsdon, admitted carrying out the robbery on August 28. He also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Sentencing him at Swindon Crown Court, Judge Paul Barclay told him: "I give you full credit for your guilty plea and remorse but the offence was wholly unacceptable and was so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified."

The court heard that Jane Day went shopping in town with her partner and parked her car in the car park behind the House of Fraser.

Rob Welling, prosecuting, described how Miss Day returned alone to the car at 5pm to renew her parking ticket. "She got to Sainsbury's and became aware of an uncomfortable feeling of being followed," said Mr Welling. "She passed Boots, went on to the car park and the person following her even opened a door to allow her into the car park.

"That person grabbed her purse, there was a struggle, and she let go because she feared for her safety."

Miss Day received a twisted arm and was very distressed.

But Swindon Council security guard Larry Profit chased Brinkley, found him emptying the wallet just outside the Railway Village and reclaimed the purse, punching Brinkley to the ground before receiving a bite on the arm which required six butterfly stitches.

Defending, Marcus Davey said: "All the items were recovered and Mr Brinkley accepts he struggled with the guard he was finding it difficult to breathe."