A WOMAN has been jailed for more than two years for robbing a blind pensioner in Wrexham town centre.

Angieszka Kielar, 31, of Yorke Street, Wrexham, wept uncontrollably throughout her sentencing hearing as she followed proceedings with the aid of a Polish interpreter.

Richard Edwards, prosecuting, told Mold Crown Court how Kielar, who had a previous conviction for robbery in her native homeland, was part of a group sitting outside the Wynnstay Arms Hotel in Wrexham on the evening of November 14.

Terrance Reeves, 74, had been drinking inside the pub where he was a regular and left at around 6.45pm to call a taxi to take him home.

On leaving the pub Mr Reeves, who was wearing dark glasses and using a white stick, was approached by Kielar who could be seen on CCTV footage shown in court trying to link his arm and attempting to kiss him.

She asked him to give her £20 but when he refused she led him down a nearby alleyway and put her hand inside his jacket pocket and tried to take his wallet.

The footage then showed a struggle between Kielar, who had pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier appearance and Mr Reeves as he tried to stop her until she managed to take £80 from his wallet.

The incident was seen by CCTV operators who alerted police officer who followed Kielar to a car park at the back of Halfords where she was seen handing the money over to another man who had been part of the group outside the pub.

She was arrested and taken into custody where she told officers in interview that she couldn't recall the incident because she had been drinking and denied knowing that Mr Reeves was blind.

A victim impact statement from Mr Reeves was read to the court in which he said he was frightened after the incident but it would not stop him going out.

Phillip Clemo, defending, said his client, who he said had a problem with alcohol, was "disgusted with herself" and wanted to "sincerely apologise" to Mr Reeves.

"You will see how upset she is and wishes me to convey her genuine remorse," he said. "She begs the forgiveness of the victim in this case."

Sentencing Kielar to 27 months in prison for robbery, Judge Rhys Rowlands said the incident was a "deeply unpleasant offence".

"Mr Reeves was in no position to resist albeit he tried," said Judge Rowlands. "Fortunately this was shown on CCTV and the operators alerted police to what was going on.

"Mr Reeves has shown quite remarkable fortitude consistent with individuals of an older generation and I'm in no doubt he was at a loss to know what was going on.

"I have no doubt you recognised his vulnerability and decided to take advantage of it. Your behaviour, frankly, beggars belief.

"I am full of admiration for the victim because this was a desperately mean act in which the seriousness is found in the targeting of an obviously vulnerable individual."