A 'despicable' robber on a bike, who terrorised and robbed seven vulnerable elderly people around Norwich, has admitted to the 17-day crime spree.

Justin Campling, 40, admitted robbing one of his victims, who was in her 80s, on Grove Walk, pulling her to the ground before stealing her bag.

He even stole a handbag from a woman in her 70s using an electric wheelchair at Bowthorpe, Norwich Crown Court heard.

In shocking CCTV footage, Campling was captured pulling a woman in her 70s to the ground on Belvoir Street, close to the Belvedere Community Centre, before fleeing on his bike with her handbag.

His offending spree of seven robberies took place between October 30 and November 16.

Campling, of Bullace Road, Norwich, appeared at court yesterday and admitted the following offences:

•Robbery of a woman in a wheelchair on Beloe Avenue, Bowthorpe on October 30.

•Robbery of pensioner in her 80s at Brightys Opening, off Dereham Road, on November 3.

•Robbery of woman in her 80s, pulled to the ground in Grove Walk, Norwich, and her handbag stolen on November 4.

•Robbery of woman in her 70s in Angel Road, Norwich, on November 5.

•Robbery of a woman in her 80s, who had handbag stolen in Adelaide Street, on November 8.

•Robbery of a woman in her 70s on Ampthill Street who had her bag stolen on November 14.

•Finally, a woman in her 70s was pulled to the ground and her bag stolen in Belvoir Street on November 15.

The court heard he had a previous conviction for robbery in 2013 and Judge Stephen Holt remanded him into custody and adjourned sentence until March 19. He asked for the report to consider what danger Campling posed.

At the time of his offending Det Con Emma Gray, of Norwich CID, described his crimes as 'despicable' and warned people, especially elderly residents, to be vigilant.

She said: 'These are despicable crimes committed by an individual targeting the most vulnerable.'