A Stroud teenager who robbed a woman at knifepoint in the town was jailed for 28 months.

Levi Walker, 18, of Parliament Street, admitted robbing Rachel Hill, 48, who was walking with her mother, Caroline Hill, 71, along Middle Street at about midnight on March 23 last year.

The two had been out for a meal, and Walker, along with another young man, crossed the street into their path, Gloucester crown court heard on Thursday.

The other man did nothing but Walker approached Rachel Hill and demanded her bag. Ms Hill refused, and Walker produced a three inch knife, prosecutor Greg Gordon told the judge.

Ms Hill tried to fend Walker off with her umbrella, but was knocked to the ground and Walker ran off with her bag.

Plucky pensioner Caroline Hill set off in pursuit but could not catch up with Walker, the prosecutor said.

Ms Hill's bag was later handed in to the police by a member of the public who found it but cash and a mobile phone inside had been pocketed by Walker, the prosecutor said.

Walker was 17 at the time of the offence and had no previous convictions or cautions recorded against him, added Mr Gordon.

The judge heard from a probation officer that at the time of the offence, Walker was living in supported accommodation in Stroud and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence.

“He has limited memory but thinks it was a moment of madness. He cannot recall the motivation for it. He takes responsibility and does not seek to minimise it.”

The probation worker said that Walker would like the opportunity to apologise to the women.