Woman, 92, attacked for £2

Mrs Kershaw had to undergo emergency surgery

A 92-year-old woman left with a broken hip and wrist after being robbed of £2 in cash has vowed never to go outside on her own again.

Mildred Kershaw underwent emergency surgery following the attack in Brighton on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs Kershaw was walking home along Hamilton Road at 1600 BST when a man wrestled her shopping bag from her, causing her to fall to the ground, breaking two bones.

Recovering at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, Mrs Kershaw said: "I'll never leave home alone again.

This was a despicable robbery on a vulnerable old lady

Detective Chief Inspector
Martin Underhill

"I was about 30 yards from my house and the bag was snatched with such force that it sent me flying.

"I could not get up, my hip was out of action and I could not move.

"I was independent but I am not now, I shall take somebody with me next time."

She was found by three passers-by with a broken hip and wrist.

Vulnerable lady

She also suffered a bruised forehead and grazing to her arms and hands. Her spectacles were also smashed.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Martin Underhill, leading the inquiry, said: "This was a despicable robbery on a vulnerable old lady.

"No-one deserves to be accosted like this, particularly someone of her age."

Mrs Kershaw, who celebrated her birthday last week, is a mother of six and a grandmother of 13.

Dirty and scruffy

A friend of the family said: "This was a cruel attack and her daughters are enraged that this could happen to such a happy-go-lucky lady. She was really independent for her age."

Mrs Kershaw described the attacker as white, 45 years old, 5ft 8ins, thin build, dirty with a scruffy looking face.

He was wearing a long grey raincoat and baseball cap.