Pamela Gilmartin admitted trying to snatch the handbag as she was leaving a train at Dumbarton Central, in what was described as an ‘opportunistic’ and fleeting act.

Gilmartin, 30, sobbed in the dock as a list of her previous offending was read out last week.

Prosecuting, Scott Simpson told the court how the 20-year-old victim was left ‘feeling sick’ and ‘very shocked’ after the incident.

Gilmartin had boarded the Glasgow to Balloch train at Dalmuir, sitting just a few seats behind her victim.

CCTV footage showed Gilmartin, of Talbot Road, Haldane, to be ‘considerably in drink’ at the time.

Mr Simpson told how she was asking other passengers for money to pay for her fare – seeing this and the state of her, her victim moved her handbag and shopping bags.

As the train pulled into Dumbarton Central, Gilmartin and a compatriot moved down the train before lunging at the complainer and grabbing her handbag. Gilmartin shouted at the woman to let go of the bag. But the woman held on and pleaded with her to leave her alone — at this point other passengers successfully intervened and Gilmartin scarpered.

She was later traced and arrested. Mr Simpson said the whole incident was ‘very distressing for all involved’.

Mr Thompson, defending, told Dumbarton Sheriff Court his client could be seen ‘staggering’ as she got onto the train and played down the episode, saying it only lasted ‘two-and-a-half to three seconds’.

He continued: “It was an opportunistic grab and members of the public effortlessly pushed her away.” Mr Thompson also told the court she had not re-offended since the incident, with no new charges brought against her in nine months – he pushed for a deferred sentence to allow her to be considered for a drug treatment and testing order, but this was refused.

Sentencing, Sheriff Marie McTaggart told Gilmartin that the ‘opportunistic nature’ of the offence did not detract from its seriousness.

She added: “This was a woman going about her daily business and she has been left shaken by this.

“Set against your record this was a serious matter and I’m left with no alternative than to place you in jail.” Gilmartin cried loudly as she was sentenced to six month imprisonment, before being led away in handcuffs.