Nine years in jail for drug dealer who robbed OAP

Darren Russell (38), of Nursery Road, North Anston, was on bail for drugs offences when he mugged a 74-year-old woman who was making her way home.

Russell, who was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday (18), ran a street dealing drugs operation from him home in North Anston in which he admitted to having a significant role.

Judge Graham Reeds, summarising the case, said Russell was being investigated by the police and was out on bail when, on May 15 this year, he committed the robbery.

Russell followed the woman, who had just got off the bus in North Anston, for a couple of hundred metres on his bike.

He snatched her bag and cycled off — leaving her shocked by what he had done, Mr Reeds told the court.

“Her victim impact statement says she had walked that way regularly for 16 years and always felt safe,” Mr Reeds said.

“You robbed her of that as well.”

The woman said the robbery was more upsetting than when she lost her son or when she was diagnosed with cancer some years ago.

“She had photos on her phone that you robbed her of and they can’t be replaced,” Mr Reeds said.

“She says she is anxious and scared in everyday life because of what you did to her.”

Ms Emma Downing, mitigating, said Russell was “genuinely remorseful” and “deeply ashamed of his actions”.

She added: “He wishes to offer an apology for his behaviour.

“Mr Russell was acting in order to fund his long-standing drug addiction.

“It’s not an excuse but it is an explanation for what happened.”

Russell pleaded guilty to possession of class A drugs with intent to supply at an earlier hearing at Sheffield Crown Court and admitted robbery at an earlier hearing at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court.

He will serve at least half of his nine-year jail sentence on licence.