He knocked the woman to the ground as he snatched the handbag which was draped over her shoulder.
But Hitchings was turned in by his mother and was quizzed by police when he turned up for a court hearing.
After he admitting robbing the disabled pensioner, who uses a walking stick, Sheriff Peter Hammond branded his actions cowardly and warned he faced jail.
The 32-year-old took A[pounds sterling]60 from the handbag and ditched the rest of the contents in a nearby burn.
Hitchings, of Whitefield Crescent, Newtown St Boswells, followed the woman after she left a shop Baume & Mercier Hampton Mens Watch 8126 not far from her home and pounced near the Hazeldean housing complex in Mossilee Road, Galashiels.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told on Friday that Lothian and Borders police circulated an appeal for information through the media about the assault and robbery which took place on the afternoon of Saturday April 24.
Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, explained that a friend of Hitchingsa mother told her that she had seen Replica Monogram Handbags her son in the area at the time of the attack.
She also told her that he was wearing the same clothes as mentioned by the police appeal.
The procurator fiscal said the mother took the brave decision to inform the police and Hitchings was interviewed by them after he appeared in court on another matter.
Sheriff Peter Hammond said: aThis was a disgraceful and cowardly offence against a 73-year-old disabled woman.
aYou are a danger to the public and a custodial sentence must be very much in the foremost thought of the court.a
Defence lawyer Mark Harrower said Hitchings had developed a heroin addiction over the past couple of years and on the day of the robbery was desperate for money.
He added: aHe has committed this disgraceful crime. He hates himself for it but thankfully she was not injured.a
Hitchings was remanded in custody until May 24 when he will appear for sentencing at Selkirk after social workers have prepared background reports.
At another Replica Zenith Watches court hearing, Hitchings admitted possessing heroin in Galashiels town centre in July. He also pleaded guilty to stealing four bottles of spirits from the ASDA store in the town last week.
He will be sentenced later.
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