A DRUG addict has been put behind bars for robbing an elderly woman of her jewellery and attackiing a police officer with his own CS gas spray.

A jury found Lewis Onwuchekwa, 26, of Newton Road, Tilbury, guilty of robbery after a five-day trial at Basildon Crown Court.

Onwuchekwa also admitted dangerous driving and assaulting a police officer with intent to resist arrest.

The court heard how Onwuchekwa, with another unknown suspect, entered the home of a 94-year-old widow at 4.30am on July 12 last year.

The victim, who had been married for 70 years, was woken up and dragged out of bed before being forced to hand over her wedding ring and engagement ring as well as other jewellery and bank cards.

Sentencing Onwuchekwa on Friday, Judge David Pugh said: “When the victim went to bed that night, she was entitled to feel safe in her home.

“She sustained injuries which fortunately were not serious but she continues to have nightmares.”

The court heard how the victim’s family must visit every night to check the house before she goes to bed.

Two days after the robbery, police attempted to pull over Onwuchekwa in his car as part of their enquiries.

Judge Pugh added: “You attempted to escape arrest by driving dangerously, crashing your car and then assaulting a police officer when he was trying to arrest you.

“You headbutted him, punched him and seized his CS gas canister.”

Mitigating, defence barrister James Wing told the court Onwuchekwa was badly injured in his attempt to escape where he sprayed the officer with his own CS gas. He said: “His injuries were much more serious than the officer’s. They amount to common assault. Mr Onwuchekwa had been sprayed himself. The officer did say that he was going to break his wrists – perhaps understandable but this was a short-lived attempt at use of a weapon.”

Onwuchekwa was sentenced to nine and a half years for robbery, dangerous driving and assaulting an officer.

He was also banned from driving for six and a half years.