A ROBBER who pounced on an elderly pensioner as she withdrew cash from an ATM has been jailed.

David Tait hid and watched on as a 75-year-old woman took £20 from the machine in Musselburgh earlier this year.

And just as the OAP went to put the two £10 notes into her purse, Tait grabbed her arm and ripped the the cash from her hand before running off down a nearby alleyway.

The attacker was recognised by witnesses and the 32-year-old was soon apprehended.

Tait, who is originally from Prestonpans, appeared from custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Tuesday), where he was jailed for three years.

Fiscal depute Mark Keene told the court that the pensioner approached the ATM in Musselburgh’s High Street at about 9.20am on March 28 this year.

Mr Keene said: “The accused was seen loitering around the High Street area of Musselburgh, particularly outside the Clydesdale Bank.

“She attended at the bank and withdrew £20.

"The accused was watching her and as the cash was dispensed, the accused grabbed her right arm by the elbow and snatched the cash from her.

“He then ran off down an alley and was lost to sight.”

Mr Keene added that Tait later admitted to police officers he had carried out the attack and told officers: “I’m sorry – the woman didn’t deserve that.”

Solicitor Robert Low said his client had been homeless at the time of the offence and had stolen the cash to buy heroin.

In sentencing, Sheriff Norman McFadyen said: “I don’t think a community payback order will be appropriate on this charge.

“This is a very aggravated matter involving the robbery of an elderly lady and clearly only a custodial sentence will suffice here.”

Tait pleaded guilty to an amended charge of assaulting the woman by grabbing her by the arm and robbing her of £20 at High Street, Musselburgh, on March 28 this year.