A robber who violently attacked women in broad daylight has been jailed.

The early morning attacker targeted women alone in Crawley.

He repeatedly punched and kicked one of his victims even after she had fallen to the ground.

At Lewes Crown Court heroin addict Benoit Anamalay, 29, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after he admitted two charges of robbery.

Judge David Rennie told him: "Your drug addiction may well explain what you did but can never excuse these violent and cowardly attacks. It can only have been a very frightening experience for these two people."

The court heard Anamalay, who is from the island Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, arrived in the UK in 2005 after a huge gambling win, which he has now spent on entertainment and drugs.

Anamalay, of Hayling Close, Crawley, who left a wife and young daughter behind in Diego Garcia, committed the robberies to feed his heroin addiction.

John Marsden-Lynch, prosecuting, said his first victim, Fiona Collins, 33, who suffers from agoraphobia, was in Seymour Road, in Broadfield, Crawley, at about 9am on December 20 last year when she was approached by Anamalay who asked her if she had any change.

He said: "Suddenly she was pushed and punched and kicked repeatedly even after she had fallen to the ground."

He snatched her bag, containing £40 cash, and left Ms Collins suffering bruising.

A week later he attacked Lucy Bell, 20, who was walking to a bus stop outside the Imperial pub, in Broadfield. He followed her before walking past and then turning round and grabbing her bag.

When she struggled with him he pushed her in the face and ran off with the bag, containing £23 cash as well as personal documents and her mobile phone.

Mr Marsden-Lynch said police stopped Anamalay's brother on December 31 and he was arrested for a drug offence. When police searched his flat they found a padded jacket worn by the robber. The brother was arrested but police inquiries led officers to Anamalay.

He said Ms Collins had complained of hurting all over after she was attacked and she was taken to hospital for a check-up.

She told police: "I don't like going out anyway and this has made it worse for me. I may never go out again unless I am with someone I can trust."

Ms Bell felt scared and tearful after the attack. She told police she did not believe someone would rob her in broad daylight.

Barbara Down, defending, said Anamalay, who has no previous convictions, apologised to his victims for committing the offences, which he did to pay for heroin.

She said: "He is thoroughly ashamed of himself and wishes when he gets out to start his life over again."