Robberused hiscrutchto attackpensioner

Fiona Evans

A pensioner who was beaten with a metal crutch and robbed of her Christmas shopping money by a drug addict is considering moving from the area where she has lived for 25 years.

Craig Moore, 39, used one of his own crutches to hit the 78-year-old stroke victim about the face and body before escaping with the 75 she had been counting out at her ground floor flat in sheltered accommodation in Idle, Bradford.

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The victim was struck at least four times with the crutch, knocked to the floor and suffered extensive bruising in the attack which happened just a week before Christmas and left her feeling like “a prisoner in her own home”.

Another resident came to the woman’s aid after hearing her screams and he pursued Moore as he fled the scene.

Moore managed to escape by getting into a taxi, but during the chase he abandoned one of the crutches he uses to get about.

Two days before Christmas Moore, of no fixed address, was arrested while at hospital and claimed to have no recollection of the attack.

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But his escape had been captured on CCTV and he eventually pleaded guilty to the robbery on his first appearance before Bradford Crown Court earlier this month.

He told officers he had taken a number of Valium tablets and had been drinking lager on the day of the robbery.

Judge Peter Benson read extracts from a victim personal statement in which the woman said she had previously been very active, but now felt like a prisoner in her own home.

She described how she now kept her door locked and even felt nervous putting her rubbish out.

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“She has to go out accompanied by family members and her sleep has been affected,” said Judge Benson.

“She suffered a stroke before this incident and is concerned that her recovery has been impaired as a result. She is considering moving from the house.”

Moore, who had a long list of previous convictions including house burglary, was yesterday jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Judith Naylor, prosecuting, said the victim had seen Moore twice outside her home in the weeks before the attack when he had been asking for a glass of water.

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Judge Benson said he had obviously been carrying out reconnaissance and was fully aware of the woman’s circumstances.

“You pleaded guilty and expressed some remorse but that must be little consolation for that lady whose life you blighted,” the judge told Moore.

He said the woman was now thinking of moving away from a home where she had felt safe and welcome until the attack.

He described the offence as a cruel and vindictive robbery.

Moore’s barrister Anne-Marie Hutton said Moore, who is waiting for a hip replacement, felt sick to the core about what he had done and had apologised for his actions.

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