An alcoholic who robbed an 18-year-old student at a cashpoint machine after a mammoth drinking session has been jailed for almost two years.
Donna Trowsdale’s barrister said it was a “miracle” she could stand up, let alone commit a frightening street robbery.
She took cocaine and drank two two-litre bottles of cider, a bottle of Amaretto, four pints, and more drinks which she could not remember, before she snatched money from the innocent teenager.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the troubled 36-year-old befriended the student and her friends while they were on a night out in Middlesbrough.
Giving her name as “Destiny Marie”, she went with the group from the Isaac Wilson pub to the Yorkshire Bank ATM on Linthorpe Road.
She suddenly appeared and shoved the victim aside as she was about to take out £10, said prosecutor Sue Jacobs.
She pressed the button to withdraw £200 instead, grabbed the money from the student in a struggle and hid it in her knickers.
She handed over just £80 when it was demanded back, and lifted her dress when challenged about the rest she had on her.
Trowsdale verbally abused the student and threatened to “batter” her during the robbery at about 11pm on August 14.
She insisted she had not taken out £200, even when the student checked her balance. She got angry and aggressive and demanded an apology.
Trowsdale walked off when the frightened and intimidated student began to cry.
The victim said she was normally cautious with strangers and felt she had been targeted.
She said: “£200 is a lot of money to me at the moment. I need this for my day-to-day living.”
The robbery affected her greatly and left her shocked and shaken, she later said in a statement.
She said: “I could hardly believe what this woman had done.
“Since I became incredibly anxious when out alone, constantly worried I would be attacked again.
“It’s a real struggle to use an ATM without a friend with me.
“I’m constantly reminded of this attack. I should not have to feel like this.
“I showed this woman kindness and this is how she repays me.
“This is a violent careless woman with no regard for others, and she should be imprisoned to prevent her taking advantage of others and causing further harm.”
Trowsdale, of Normanby Road, Eston, admitted robbery, her 67th criminal offence. Her record included 33 thefts and a four-and-a-half-year prison term for two robberies in 2008.
About a month before the latest robbery, she was given a community order by the courts for theft and assault.
Caroline Goodwin, defending, said: “The fact that she could stand up is quite amazing.”
She told how Trowsdale had gone into higher education but “became enthralled in the use of drugs” and heavily addicted to alcohol, which she admitted made her unpredictable and a “horrible person”.
“She recognises that she has thrown away the best years of her life,” added the barrister.
Miss Goodwin said it was a spontaneous offence when she was depressed, had difficulties with her medication and had turned to drink, her “only friend”.
She added: “What has really cut home for Donna Trowsdale is, since she’s been remanded in custody, her children have indicated that they do not wish to travel to the prison to see her.”
She said the habitual offender and binge drinker showed “absolute remorse” and needed help and intensive supervision.
Judge Deborah Sherwin said she could not suspend the prison sentence, as suggested by Miss Goodwin, as the robbery was too serious.
She jailed Trowsdale for 22 months.
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