Boys robbed woman, 89, for drinks

The woman was targetted by the boys, the court heard

Two 14-year-old boys robbed an almost-blind pensioner then "squandered" her money on alcopops, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

The woman, aged 89, was on the doorstep of her home in the city when her handbag was snatched.

The boys said they bought alcopops with the money

In a statement to the court, the woman said she could not believe that youngsters would steal from a woman of her age.

The schoolboys and a 15-year-old girl went to the Tesco supermarket in St Mellons where they spent some of the £250 on alcopops.

Two boys have admitted robbery but the teenage girl denies the charge. All three are too young to be named.

The court heard the two schoolboys targetted the pensioner as she returned home from a day centre.

"Squandered"

Prosecutor Dan Williams said: "The bag was taken with such force that the woman fell over and injured her hip.

"Despite the pain she got up and tried to chase them but they vanished. Shortly afterwards a CCTV camera at Tesco filmed them going in to squander the elderly lady's money."

The girl denies robbery claiming she was at home at the time of the attack.

One of the boys told the court: "We were just hanging about that day when we saw the old woman coming.

He said the cash was shared out and all three went to Tesco. The girl then met a friend in her 30s and asked her to buy alcopops on their behalf.

The trial continues.