Seven years for pensioner robbery

Andrew Lang had carried out building work at his victim's home

A builder has been jailed for seven years for attacking a pensioner as she ate lunch in her home.

Andrew Lang, 33, of Kinmel Bay, north Wales, entered 78-year-old Joyce Parry's home in Prestatyn and demanded money.

The widow jabbed at Lang with the knife she was still holding from eating her meal before Lang struck her in the face with a cash box.

Lang admitted robbery and was jailed at Mold Crown Court on Thursday.

Dragged victim

The court heard that Lang walked into his victim's bungalow in the middle of the day on 11 August this year.

Mrs Parry was eating lunch when she was confronted.

She felt scared and thought that she was going to die, because he sounded so desperate Gordon Hennell, prosecuting

Lang dragged the widow into the hallway and bedroom of her home and demanded cash.

Mrs Parry jabbed at Lang with a dinner knife which she still had in her hand, before Lang grabbed a silver cash box from a cabinet, struck her in the face with it and fled.

Mrs Parry was left with facial injuries and bruising to her arms, shoulder and stomach after the attack.

Gordon Hennell, prosecuting, said that in 2003, Lang had done some building for Mrs Parry, but had failed to complete the work.

Mr Hennell said that Lang was not seen again by Mrs Parry until three days before the robbery when he entered her home uninvited and said: "You are going to sell your property, aren't you?"

'Felt scared'

When Mrs Parry told him it was not for sale, he repeated his demand, but eventually left.

Mr Hennell said that three days later, Lang returned and entered through the conservatory window before attacking Mrs Parry.

"She felt scared and thought that she was going to die, because he sounded so desperate," Mr Hennell said.

She later told police how she no longer felt able to be alone.

After being arrested four days later, Lang denied the robbery or even visiting the widow's home.

He later changed his plea and admitted robbery.

'Terrifying experience'

He had tried to commit suicide on the day he carried out the robbery, the court heard.

Simon Mintz, defending, said the robbery was out of character and his client had taken an overdose of anti-depressants, committing the offence when he was not aware of what he was doing.

Sentencing Lang, who has a previous conviction for burglary, Judge John Rogers QC said: "You went into the house of a 78-year-old widow while she was eating her lunch.

"You went for the purpose of robbing her of her money and other belongings.

"In order to achieve your aim, you removed her lunch tray, dragged her by her shoulders, and struck her in the face.

"For her, it must have been a terrifying experience."