A drug user who struggled with an 81-year-old woman in her flat before stealing £70 from her handbag has been jailed for four and a half years.

Dorothy Tennant fell to the ground in the hallway of her home while tussling with Rosalyn Edmonson who was trying to stop her calling for help.

Edmonson wept at Bradford Crown Court on Friday as she was led away after a jury convicted her of burglary.

After the case, the police paid tribute to Mrs Tennant’s courage in giving evidence to the court.

The jury was told Edmonson had previously borrowed money from Mrs Tennant while living in the same block of flats in Taunton House, Croscombe Walk, Bradford.

On March 19, she knocked on Mrs Tennant’s door and when the pensioner tried to shut her out, stuck her foot in the doorway.

Mrs Tennant told how she went to grab the intercom security system and a struggle developed as Edmonson tried to prevent her calling for help. Mrs Tennant said she fell to the floor.

Edmonson helped her up before taking £70 from her purse in the living room.

Edmonson, who had since moved to Long Lee, told the jury Mrs Tennant tripped and fell over the doormat.

Judge Jonathan Rose told Edmonson her denial of the offence forced Mrs Tennant to go through the ordeal of giving evidence in court.