A VIOLENT street mugger had racked up a string of convictions in his native Slovakia before robbing a 78-year-old woman in Bradford, a court has heard.

Mario Stojka tried to tear off Jean Crowther's watch and jewellery before snatching £200 cash from her handbag.

The plucky pensioner attempted to fend him off with her walking stick when he grabbed the cross and chain round her neck.

He then tried to rip off her rings and watch before taking the money she had withdrawn on her weekly shopping trip to the city centre.

Stojka, 30, of Bollingbrook Court, West Bowling, Bradford, pleaded guilty to robbing Mrs Crowther at the junction of Kirkgate and Piccadilly at 9.20am on February 4 this year.

At Bradford Crown Court yesterday, he was imprisoned for three years and four months.

Stojka had twice been cautioned for shoplifting since coming to the UK two years ago.

He had served several jail terms in his native Slovakia, notching up four convictions for theft and committing offences of credit fraud and dangerous and threatening behaviour.

Mrs Crowther was waiting for her usual taxi home when Stojka, described in court as having "personality issues", approached wearing make-up and a headscarf.

"He asked if she was okay and if she needed help," prosecutor Charlotte Eastwood said.

He complimented her on her scarf and then tried to tug off her jewellery.

"She was fighting back by pushing him with her walking stick but it had no effect."

The robbery was witnessed by passers by Safdar Yousaf and Mushtak Ahmed who retrieved Mrs Crowther's money and gave chase but Stojka got away.

Mrs Crowther was in shock, shaking and struggling to stand.

In her victim impact statement, Mrs Crowther, now 79, said she was too afraid to make her weekly shopping trip to the centre of Bradford and her trips out to bingo were a struggle.

She was nervous at home, had difficulty sleeping and feared that any noise in the night was Stojka "coming to get her".

Miss Eastwood said there were matters outstanding against him in Slovakia but the Crown had no further details.

Judge Neil Davey QC commended Mr Yousaf and Mrs Mushtak for their public spirited actions.

After the case, Bradford West MP George Galloway, whose constituency includes the city centre, called for Stojka to be deported when he serves his sentence.

"It is entirely wrong that such criminals should be allowed to stay in Britain and efforts should be made to check the criminal records of people wanting to come to the UK," said Mr Galloway (Respect).

Shipley Tory MP Philip Davies said Stojka was a prime example of why Britain should leave the EU.

"He is clearly a despicable piece of work. He should be kicked straight out of the country when he comes out of prison," he said.

"This is the problem of being in the EU. The free movement of people opens the door to criminals. This man is one of many.

"It is one of the many reasons why I want us out at the first opportunity."

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