A pensioner using her mobility scooter to walk her dog was attacked and left with horrific facial injuries by a female mugger.
Catherine Smith, 82, was strangled with the pet’s lead inside the doorway of her Streatham Hill home in south London four days ago and police are still hunting the suspect.
As she arrived home at 1.00pm after walking the dog in nearby Palace Road Nature Gardens she was confronted by a five-foot five black woman, wearing a khaki-coloured coat and sporting multi-coloured trainers.
It is believed the suspect has followed the lone lady from the park.
The suspect sat Catherine’s wall and repeatedly asked for money and kept saying: “Where’s Tracey?”
The OAP does not know any Tracey and did not hand over any money and shut her front door on the woman.
However, the suspect asked to use the toilet and became even more aggressive when refused, pushing open the door, which caused Catherine to fall back and strike her head.
The suspect wrapped the dog lead around the pensioner’s neck and started strangling her before fleeing in an unknown direction.
Shocked witnesses responded to Catherine’s calls for help and dialled 999 when they saw her covered in blood.
She was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and has been discharged.
The suspect is also described as being of slim build with slicked-back black hair and wearing tights.
Detective Constable Vicky Vincent of Lambeth CID said: “This was a vicious, unprovoked attack on an elderly vulnerable woman’s own front door. The attack has left her very distressed.
“We believe the suspect spotted Catherine in Palace Road Nature Gardens and for unknown reasons decided to follow her home, harass her and then brutally assault her.
“We would encourage anyone with information or any witnesses to contact us as a matter of urgency so we can bring the person responsible for this heinous crime to justice.”
Anyone with information or witnesses should contact Lambeth CID on 07785774447 or 101 or tweet to ©MetCC.
Information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
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