A HEROIN addict who targeted lone women and robbed an 87-year-old on the street has been jailed for three years.

James Thom, 28, robbed three victims of their handbags in just over a week in Edinburgh.

His first victim was 87-year-old Frances Sorbie, who was walking home along Tylers Acre Road at about 6pm last November 11. A week later he assaulted Jean Heggie on Wardieburn Terrace at about 10.20pm.

Three days later, he robbed 23-year-old Sarah Robertson on Cramond Glebe Road in Edinburgh at about 8.45pm.

Desperate

"All the women were extremely distressed, particularly the elderly woman," prosecutor Gillian More told Edinburgh Sheriff Court at an earlier hearing.

Thom pleaded guilty to the three robberies and taking an estimated pounds 150 worth of property.

Defence agent Vincent Belmonte said Thom had been a hard-working family man since leaving school, until about four years ago when he became addicted to heroin. "He committed the offences over a very short period when he was desperate because of his addiction," he said.

Sheriff Andrew Bell yesterday jailed Thom for three years.