Woman, 81, badly hurt in robbery

An 81-year-old woman had her leg broken in two places during a struggle in her kitchen with a "cowardly and despicable" intruder.

West Mercia Police said she fell as she grappled with the man who burst into her house in Ludlow, Shropshire, on Monday evening and stole her purse containing £70.

The offender then left his victim in pain as he ransacked her home in Kennet Bank.

The same woman lost £500 to a bogus water official three months ago, police said.

I can't recommend people struggling in a situation like this but you have to commend her bravery Detective Constable Matt Ridgway

She was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after the robbery, which happened between 1800 and 1845 GMT.

Detective Constable Matt Ridgway said: "This was a cowardly and despicable attack carried out against a defenceless old lady in her own home.

"Her left leg was broken in two places when she fell to the ground after struggling with the intruder.

"Her injuries are serious, but it could have been far worse considering her age."

'Very fat'

Mr Ridgway praised the pensioner's bravery in trying to fend off the robber, who had entered her home through the back door.

He pushed her into the kitchen while putting his hand over her face.

Mr Ridgway added: "He demanded that she should sit down, but she refused and fought back.

"I can't recommend people struggling in a situation like this, but you have to commend her bravery."

The offender was white, in his late 20s, around 5 ft 5 in and "very fat" with his stomach overhanging his waistband.

He was wearing a distinctive Fair Isle-style jumper with multi-coloured horizontal hoops and a black woolly hat.