Son condemns 'cowardly' attackers

Mrs Lucas was with her daughter when she was mugged

The son of a 93-year-old pensioner who died after she was mugged said his family had been left "shattered" by his mother's death.

George Lucas, 56, spoke of the "cowardly" attack as police in Greater Manchester appealed for help in finding her attacker.

Lillian Lucas was returning from a visit to see her husband at a local nursing home when she was attacked on Friday.

She later died in hospital after suffering a heart attack.

This is a cowardly attack on a very frail elderly lady

Detective Inspector Jeff Warburton

Mr Lucas, of Rossendale, Lancashire said: "I just wish this person would realise what he has done, the upset he has caused the family.

"We can't grieve until this situation is over. We can't lay my mother to rest because of his actions and if anybody knows the whereabouts of this man, please help the police.

"I don't want this to happen to anybody else. It was a cowardly attack on a vulnerable woman.

"We are completely shattered by it."

Mrs Lucas and her daughter had been dropped off by a taxi just yards from her home in Coningsby Drive, in Harpurhey, Greater Manchester, when a man ran up behind them and tried to steal their bags.

Broken hip

During a struggle, Mrs Lucas and her 55-year-old daughter were knocked to the ground.

Mrs Lucas was taken to North Manchester General Hospital with a broken hip and later died from a heart attack after surgery.

Mr Lucas, a machine operator, said his mother weighed just six stone and was only five feet tall.

He said she visited her husband in the nursing home twice a week, accompanied by her son or daughter.

Greater Manchester Police were searching the area close to Mrs Lucas's home on Monday.

Detective Inspector Jeff Warburton said: "This is a cowardly attack on a very frail elderly lady.

"This is a robbery that has had some tragic consequences."