AN 84-YEAR-OLD woman lay undiscovered for an hour after suffering a broken hip when she was pushed to the ground during a 'heartless' robbery.

The pensioner was attacked just after 10pm on Monday night as she walked along Greta Road towards Ragworth Road in Norton, near Stockton.

A man emerged from Cameron Street and passed the victim and wished her 'good night' before grabbing her bag and pulling it from her.

The woman tried to keep hold of her bag and was pushed to the floor by the suspect, sustaining a broken hip.

The suspect made off towards Darlington Lane with the victim’s leather handbag containing a red purse with £30 in cash inside, a bus pass and bingo dabbers.

The victim lay injured for up to an hour before she was found. She underwent surgery yesterday, and remains at the University Hospital of North Tees undergoing treatment.

The suspect is described as a white male, aged in his 20s wearing a grey hooded top with the hood pulled up.

Detective Sergeant Amy Campbell, from Stockton Operational Crime Team, said: “This incident has been distressing for the victim involved. It is heartless for someone to rob a lone, elderly woman who was on her way back from a rare evening out and leave her lying in the road, injured and in pain.

“We are doing all we can to try to find the man responsible and would urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact police.”

  • Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Daniel Pattinson from Stockton Operational Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org