Thief snatched purse from woman, 80, as she tended husband's grave in Rotherham

Wayne Robert Hucknall, 33, of no fixed abode, appeared before Rotherham Magistrates’ Court on Monday and was sentenced to 18 weeks behind bars, after pleading guilty to theft at an earlier hearing.

The elderly victim was at her husband’s graveside at St Mary’s Church in Catcliffe when Hucknall snatched her handbag on Tuesday March 8 at around 2.35pm.

Police Constable Garry Pratt, from South Yorkshire Police, said: “This incident shocked the local community and I want to thank the public for the positive response we had to our appeals for information and witnesses.

“Both the victim and myself would like to offer our thanks to Hucknall’s mother, who came forward following our appeal as she suspected her son of being involved in this matter.

“I am pleased we have been able to secure a custodial sentence for this matter and I hope the local community are reassured by the positive action taken by police.”

Hucknall also received an eight-week jail term for a separate offence of theft.