A despicable robber who ripped jewellery from two women in their nineties has been locked up for seven years by a judge who wants him kicked out of the country.

Marion Pokuta, a drug-addicted odd job man who targeted elderly people in their homes, was branded “wicked and cowardly”.

A 94-year-old woman died two months after the Slovakian national wrenched the wedding ring she had not removed for 60 years from her finger.

Pokuta, 22, came to the UK when he was 17 because his family wanted a better life, Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to robbing Laura Clarke, 92, of two gold chains from round her neck after pushing her to the floor at her home in Great Horton, Bradford, on November 4.

While on bail, he robbed Doris Burnett, 94, of Great Horton Road, Bradford, on January 16.

The court heard it was the third time Pokuta, of Falcon Street, Great Horton, had targeted the dementia sufferer in her home.

She was left deeply distressed and shocked after Pokuta tore her wedding ring from her finger.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC told Pokuta: “I wish I could order your deportation.

“What you did was wicked and cowardly and it disgusts the onlooker.”