A TERRIFIED pensioner was bundled over and pinned to floor in his own home by a robber who stole cash and items of great sentimental value.

The 75-year-old man, who needed hospital treatment after the attack at his Accrington home, was so shaken by the incident that he has only just been able to tell police the full details.

The pensioner answered a knock at the door of his home in the Barnfield area, at 3.25pm on Saturday, and a man in his 30s asked if he could borrow some string to fix his car.

The man then started asking questions about whether the pensioner lived alone. The pensioner became suspicious and tried to shut the front door on the man.

But the robber jammed his foot in the door, grabbed hold of his victim and bundled him to the floor. He pinned him to the ground and stole his wallet, then ran off.

The wallet contained a substantial amount of cash, a gold locket containing a picture of the pensioner's wife, and some personal papers.

Detective Sergeant Neil Hunter of Accrington CID said: "This was a despicable crime and the victim was left extremely shaken. He had to go to hospital because he sustained bad bruising to his back after the robber pinned him to the floor. He was very upset by the loss of his sentimental items."

The robber was in his 30s, about 6ft tall and of medium build. He had short dark wavy hair and was scruffy with dark stubble on his chin. He wore a waist-length dark leather-type jacket.

Detectives want to hear from anyone who received a similar visit, and people who were in the Plantation Street area at the time. Information to Accrington Police on 01254 382141.

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