A robber who beat his victim before snatching her belongings and forcibly removing her jewellery has been jailed for seven years.

Mateusz Pietrzak was sentenced to seven years in prison and five years on licence at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, December 18, in connection with the violent robbery which occurred in Watford.

The 29-year-old from Gade Close in Watford was charged with the offence which occurred in Charter Place at around 10pm on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

The victim, a woman in her 50s, was approached by Pietrzak.

He asked her for money and she refused at which point he kicked her to the floor and continued to kick and punch her.

He then searched through her belongings taking items and also forcibly removed rings from her fingers.

The victim suffered bruising and swelling to her face, head and body.

Pietrzak appeared before St Albans Crown Court on December 2 and pleaded guilty to the offence.

Detective Constable Lauren Shipman said: “The victim suffered serious injuries and was understandably left shaken by what happened.

“The level of violence inflicted upon her by Mateusz Pietrzak was significant and this sentence fully reflects crime.”