A prison sentence handed to a man who ruined the life of a 98-year-old woman he mugged in M&S has been branded "pathetic" by her furious son.

Martin Spencer was jailed this week for robbing the frail, disabled pensioner in the city store, leaving her crumpled on the ground with a broken hip, collar bone and severe bruising.

She had been out shopping with her son when 61-year-old Spencer tried to snatch her handbag from her shopping trolley.

She bravely clung on but was dragged to the ground, leaving her seriously injured.

Now, her son Robert Mace has asked the Crown Prosecution Service to consider appealing the 32-month sentence given to Spencer this week.

"It's pathetic," he said. "My mother almost died. It's destroyed the life of someone who was fiercely independent for the sake of a few pounds.

"She used to enjoy going out almost every day with the help of her shopping trolley walker, but has now lost all her independence and confidence.

"I appreciate the judge was following sentencing guidelines, but I think it is unduly lenient and I hope it can be reviewed."

The victim was robbed of her handbag while at the M&S store at about 2.35pm on Tuesday, July 31.

She was shopping with her son, but was pounced upon by Spencer when Mr Mace left her side for a few moments.

Spencer was later arrested after a CCTV image of him was circulated by police.

Mr Mace, 61, says his mother, who is now 99, spent four weeks in hospital and is now having to live downstairs at her city home with support from the family as she can no longer climb the stairs.

Defence barrister Jason Dunn-Shaw agreed there was "considerable public revulsion" over the incident but asked the judge to take into account that Spencer had returned to the scene to try and assist when he had every opportunity to flee.

He said it was not a premeditated offence and his client "very much regretted" his conduct.

"He does have medical conditions and has led a dismal life, causing him to turn to drugs and alcohol," he added.

"You have no empathy or respect for other people and place your own needs before others, in particular the consequences for your victim..." - Judge Catherine Brown

Spencer has previous convictions, including for theft - the last one in 2010.

Judge Catherine Brown watched CCTV footage of the robbery before sentencing Spencer, who she described as "self-centred and weak".

She said he had undoubtedly targeted the pensioner because of her vulnerability, which was an aggravating feature, describing the offence as a "handbag snatch that went very, very wrong".

Although minimal force had been used, she said Spencer should have been aware that the consequences for the elderly victim could be very serious.

The pensioner, who had recently had a hip replacement and a cataract operation, had been active and independent prior to the incident.

CCTV footage showed the victim waiting for her son inside the food hall entrance to M&S when Spencer struck, grabbing at the handbag in her shopping trolley.

Judge Brown said: "She bravely tried to stop you by holding onto it. Rather than letting go, you used your greater strength to forcibly remove it from her grip. That caused her to lose her balance and fall to the ground.”

“Tragically, this robbery has had a devastating effect. She suffered a fractured collarbone, cracked pelvis and multiple bruises.

“She is no longer able to use stairs and may well have had to leave her home. I consider that you targeted her because of her vulnerability, age and frailty.

“You thought that she would be unable or unwilling to prevent you from taking the bag.

"You have no empathy or respect for other people and place your own needs before others, in particular the consequences for your victim.

"However, I bear in mind that you did return and stayed once you realised what you had done and that you have health issues."

Investigating officer Detective Constable Keith Rochford said: ‘This was a crime fuelled by greed and an over-inflated sense of worth.

"Spencer chose what he thought would be an easy target, claiming his need was greater than hers, and did not expect his victim to show such courage against him.

"He stole her handbag, and only dropped it when staff came to the victim’s aid.

"I hope Spencer will use the time in custody to think about the severity of his actions and the impact they have had on the victim and her family."