Man sentenced for mugging woman in Crawley

A man who followed a woman and demanded she hand over her bag in Crawley has been jailed.

Steven Mulroe, 24, was on a bicycle in West Green Park in Crawley when he targeted the woman walking.

After riding past her he turned round and approached the victim, demanding her bag.

He grabbed her and stole a purse before leaving the scene.

The victim described her shock and how the incident was traumatic.

Mulroe was identified by his clothing on CCTV and officers found him in a car park where he was arrested.

At Lewes Crown Court on 7 May he admitted robbery, fraud by false representation, theft from a shop, and attempted theft from a shop.

Mulroe, a British national of no fixed address, was jailed for three years and three months.

The court was told how the incident happened at 6.40pm on 17 January this year. The victim reported being followed near West Green Park by a man on a bike.

Mulroe grabbed her and took her purse before attempting to make purchases with her bank card.

He later attempted to steal items from Sainsbury’s in West Green and stole items including chocolates from the Sainsbury’s petrol station.

The victim said she was left shaken by the incident.

Speaking after the case, Detective Chief Inspector Pauline Lane said: “Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for Sussex Police, and we were determined to get justice for the victim in this case.

“Mulroe is now serving a custodial sentence.”