Robber tried to revive victim

Ross Mowat surrendered himself to police out of guilt

A remorseful robber who thought he had frightened his victim to death tried to revive her by administering oxygen.

Ross Mowat tried to hook Violet Pearson, who suffers from the lung condition emphysema, up to her oxygen bottle as she began gasping for air, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

He then tried to revive the arthritic 77-year-old by giving her a glass of water.

Mrs Pearson survived but Judge Timothy Longbotham said he had no choice but to jail Mowat, who admitted a charge of robbery, for three-and-a-half years in a young offenders' institution.

I think he was more terrified than I was

Victim, Violet Pearson

Mrs Pearson, who was also suffering from the after-effects of a heart attack, thought she was going to die when the 18-year-old clamped his hand over her mouth and demanded cash, said Tim Hills, prosecuting.

Mowat, of Churchdown, Gloucester, barged into the widow's home after pretending his ball had been thrown into her garden.

He slammed the door behind him and forced her back onto her sofa in her lounge, saying: "You're not going to scream, are you?"

The intruder left her when he was convinced Mrs Pearson had recovered but then surrendered himself to police out of guilt.

He later wrote a letter of apology to Mrs Pearson and begged police to pass it on.

Oxygen bottle

Mrs Pearson still has nightmares about the attack, Mr Hills added.

Her condition has deteriorated and she finds it harder to speak.

After the sentencing Mrs Pearson, also of Churchdown, Gloucester, said: "I think he was more terrified than I was.

"I could not speak or breathe and kept pointing at my oxygen bottle."