A thug who robbed a pensioner leaving her with horrific injuries was jailed for 11 years today.
Eric Banton, 49, was jailed today at Wood Green Crown Court after admitting the offence last month.
The victim, 91-year-old Lynne Elmer-Laird, needed an emergency operation to remove a blood clot from her head following the mugging in August.
She was walking in Church Road, Highgate, north London, when she felt someone pulling at her bag.
She looked down to see someone's hand in her bag and tried to pull away but was forcibly pushed, causing her to fall to the ground and bang her head.
Banton, of Northumberland Park, Tottenham, north London, made off with her purse, which contained her bank card, travel pass and £20 cash.
Mrs Elmer-Laird suffered severe bruising and swelling to her face, neck, shoulder and leg, and a broken arm.
PC Paul Hallas, the investigating officer, of Haringey CID said: "Eric Banton deliberately targeted an elderly woman who, despite being frail from a fall, valued her independence enough to continue to shop and visit places in the local area.
"He left her on the ground with significant injuries and is lucky she had the resilience to pull through or he could have faced far mores serious charges.
“Banton hoped to get away with his crime and it was only through CCTV images released through media appeals that he was identified, subsequently arrested and charged.
"Mrs Elmer- Laird has shown tremendous bravery and courage through this ordeal and I hope these strengths will enable her to continue with her full and active life."
