A ROBBER grabbed a 91-year-old woman round the neck in her own flat after targeting her sheltered housing complex.The elderly woman, who lives in Black Horse Lane in Ipswich, was left badly shaken by the terrifying incident and was recovering yesterday.

A ROBBER grabbed a 91-year-old woman round the neck in her own flat after targeting her sheltered housing complex.

The elderly woman, who lives in Black Horse Lane in Ipswich, was left badly shaken by the terrifying incident and was recovering yesterday.

The pensioner had walked back to her home on Sunday at around 5.30pm after waving goodbye to her family when she saw a man standing in her kitchen doorway.

The man, believed to be a teenager, asked for money, which she said she did not have.

The woman started to shout and scream and the man, who was wearing a hood over his head, grabbed the pensioner by putting his arm around her neck.

She managed to pull an emergency cord and when the alarm was activated the man ran from the property.

Neighbours came to the woman's help and the police, based just round the corner, were called.

While speaking with police, the woman noticed that her bag containing her purse had been stolen from the house.

The offender is described as a white man, with a slim build and aged around 17- to 18-years old. He wore dark clothing and a hood over his head.

Detective Constable Judith Mayhew said: “The lady has been left very shaken by this incident. Thankfully, as she activated her emergency cord, help was on hand within a matter of minutes.

“We believe the offender left the property from the rear, therefore we are very keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a male matching this description in the area.”

Anyone with any information should contact Dc Mayhew at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.