A man from Farnborough has been jailed for three years after attacking a woman and stealing her handbag as she walked to work.

Lee Morris, 46, of Chaucer Road, grabbed the woman on Prospect Road shortly before 7am on Friday, 10 October. The victim, who is in her 20s, was pulled towards a bush before Morris ripped her bag from her and fled. She managed to run home and was not physically injured, but police said the incident left her deeply shaken.

Hampshire Police launched an investigation immediately, carrying out door-to-door enquiries and reviewing CCTV from surrounding streets. Officers also seized the coat the woman had been wearing at the time of the attack.

A forensic examination of the garment identified Morris as a suspect, and he was later arrested and charged with robbery. Morris pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Monday, 24 November.

Detective Constable Jonathan Heasman, of Hart and Rushmoor CID, said the robbery had had a “huge impact” on the victim.

“She was simply walking to work that morning when Morris grabbed her,” he said. “His appalling actions terrified her, and no one should have to feel frightened and scared in our community.”

DC Heasman praised the forensic work that led to Morris’s conviction, adding that he hoped the sentence would help the victim “move on” from the ordeal.

He noted that the sentencing came on White Ribbon Day, a global initiative aimed at ending male violence against women. “Violence, intimidation and harassment of any kind towards women and girls is not acceptable in any form,” he said. “I hope this result shows we take all reports of this nature extremely seriously.”

Police are urging anyone who witnesses or experiences similar incidents to contact them immediately.