A MASKED man who assaulted and robbed a 70-year-old woman has been jailed for three and a half years.

Martin Charlotte followed the pensioner into the close where she lived late at night before pushing her over and snatching her handbag.

Three weeks earlier the 37-year-old had robbed a taxi driver of his £89 takings and threatened to stab him with a screwdriver.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard how both victims told police their attacker spoke with an "English accent".

Charlotte - originally from Doncaster - carried out the robberies in Hawick.

Jailing him for 42 months Sheriff Peter Paterson told Charlotte it was "disgraceful behaviour" adding: "It is crystal clear to everyone how serious these offences are and how despicable your conduct was."

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client was living a "chaotic lifestyle" at the time of the offences through alcohol and drugs, and had no recollection of committing the offences.

Charlotte of Allars Crescent, Hawick pleaded guilty on indictment to carrying out the attack on the pensioner while his face was masked in High Street, Hawick, on May 23.

He pushed the woman whereby she fell to the floor to her injury and he did rob her of her handbag and contents.

He also admitted assaulting a taxi driver during the course of his employment at Robson Court, Hawick, on May 4, jumping on top of him, placing a screwdriver against his chest, demanding that he gave him money, threatening to stab him and robbing him of a quantity of money.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Charlotte told police on both occasions they had got the wrong man or denied being responsible, but now accepted his guilt.

The 42-months jail sentence was back-dated to May 31 when Charlotte was first remanded in custody.