A trainee electrician who mugged three old women including one who died after being robbed has been jailed.

Jonathan Messitt, 19, of Holmesdale Road, South Norwood, was sentenced to nine years for each attack. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Messitt carried out the robberies in December 2004, targetting elderly victims and violently snatching their handbags.

On December 4, 2004, in St Andrew's Road Croydon 76-year-old Gwendoline Nitta, was spotted by Messitt.

She was attacked from behind and her bag containing £90 and credit cards was snatched. The force of the attack caused her to fall to the ground and hit her head.

She was taken to hospital where she fell into a coma. She died on January 15, 2005. A postmortem was inconclusive.

Within 15 minutes of the robbery Mrs Nitta's credit cards were used at East Croydon station and later that night they were used to buy pizzas. They were also used at a cash machine the following day. CCTV footage was taken from both venues.

Two days after the first robbery a 60-year-old woman waiting at a bus stop in Chaldon Road, Caterham, was approached by Messitt.

He tried to talk to her before attempting to snatch her handbag. A struggle ensued and she was punched in the face. Messitt left with the handbag.

The next day outside Bolton Court, St Augustine's Avenue, South Croydon, an 84-year-old woman was attacked from behind. Her head was pushed to the ground and her handbag stolen. She received a serious head injury.

Detective Inspector Nick Downing, who led the investigation, said: "Jonathan Messitt preyed on three elderly and vulnerable women, each just going about their daily business. Two were just yards from their own doorsteps."

Chief Superintendent Mark Gore, Croydon's borough commander, said: "His sentencing will hopefully provide additional reassurance to the families of the victims and the local community that those individuals who are intent on committing despicable crimes against the vulnerable will be caught and brought to justice."