A drug addict repaid a disabled woman’s kindness by attacking her with ammonia and pulling the rings from her fingers.

During the assault the 57-year-old victim had her nose broken and her face burned, Canterbury Crown Court was told.

Afterwards the victim, who was deaf and partially sighted, was too scared to return to her home and has now moved away from the area.

She had allowed Shane Hughes, 27, to stay at her house.

He admitted robbery on the day of his trial and was given an extended jail sentence of 10 years, with an extra three years on licence when he is released.

Judge Heather Norton told him: “The victim felt sorry for you and you responded to her kindness by robbing her.

"You placed over her nose and mouth a towel soaked in ammonia which caused burns to her face.

“This was an extremely nasty and cowardly offence. The effects on her mentally have been significant.

"She had to stay in a bedsit for two months over Christmas and the property you stole was of significant financial and sentimental value.

“She can’t sleep properly now and carries an alarm with her at all times.”

Judge Norton said that in her statement the victim said: “Hughes is a bully who picked on me because he thought I was a vulnerable disabled woman.

"I never want to see him again but I hope he gets some help.”

"You placed over her nose and mouth a towel soaked in ammonia which caused burns to her face..." - Judge Heather Norton

Simon Taylor, prosecuting, said Hughes had been staying with the victim at her home in Christchurch Way, Dover, for about five weeks.

On December 10 the victim was woken by the smell of Hughes cooking breakfast.

Only the victim and Hughes were in the flat and as the victim started clearing blankets away she was approached from behind and had something placed over her face which started to burn her.

Hughes punched her to the floor and pulled the rings from her fingers and left.

The victim crawled down the stairs and asked a neighbour for help.

Police found a bottle of ammonia in the kitchen with Hughes’ DNA on it. He used it to clean his drug paraphernalia.

Mr Taylor said Hughes had 51 previous convictions, including robbery, assault by beating, common assault and burglary.

Lucy Luttman, defending, said Hughes was easily led and was sorry and deeply regretted what had happened to the victim.

“He was a hopeless drug addict, with crack cocaine and heroin, and had taken a cocktail of drugs at the time,” Miss Luttman said.