Man jailed for pensioner attack

McGiveron pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm

A man has been jailed for ten years for a violent attack on an elderly woman while he was high on drugs.

James McGiveron, 22, had taken crack cocaine when he beat and stabbed 72-year-old Freda Pollitt at her home in Stanley Road in Bootle, Merseyside.

The pensioner suffered extensive injuries including a broken jaw, a fractured eye socket and a puncture wound to her stomach.

At Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, McGiveron pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and robbing Mrs Pollitt of £60 cash.

Mrs Pollitt was waiting to be picked up by her friend for a hospital appointment when McGivern, formerly of Hereford Drive, Bootle - knocked on the door and got into her house.

To attack an elderly lady in her own home is probably the worst and [most] despicable form of violence there is Judge Gerald Clifton Liverpool Crown Court

He demanded money from the pensioner and tried to rip her rings from her fingers, even after she had told him where she had £60 in the house.

Brendan Carville, prosecuting, said McGiveron stabbed Mrs Pollitt in the stomach, held a knife to her throat and hit her with her own walking stick, a pan and a two lamps.

McGiveron fled when Mrs Pollitt's friend arrived at her house.

Judge Gerald Clifton said: "To attack anybody in this way is an appalling offence but to attack an elderly lady in her own home is probably the worst and more despicable form of violence there is and the people of this city recognise that.

'Regrets' attack

"She now needs reassurance for the rest of her life because of the fear that something similar will happen again.

"You have ruined her twilight years."

Trevor Parry-Jones, defending, said that McGiveron began using crack cocaine after becoming depressed following his grandmother's death.

He had taken it on the day of the attack and cannot explain his behaviour that day but he bitterly regrets it.