A 91-YEAR-old woman living alone was terrified when a masked intruder with a knife in her belt tried to rob her in her own home, Worcester Crown Court heard.

But the pensioner acted with considerable spirit in grabbing back her handbag and trying to unmask the robber, said Judge Andrew Geddes.

He sentenced 18-year-old single mother Gemma Morris, of no fixed address, to two years' detention after she admitted attempted robbery.

Judge Geddes said: "Attacks on elderly people living alone are despicable and must be regarded as deserving severe punishment. Anybody who is tempted to think that elderly people are an easy target had better think again."

The victim, who the Evening News has chosen not to name to protect her safety, had left the front door of her flat in Malvern open.

She was waiting for a community nurse who was due to visit on Saturday, September 15, said Michael Challinor, prosecuting.

At 10.15am, Morris sneaked in, took a carving knife from a kitchen drawer and hid her face by pulling her cardigan over her head.

She demanded money after taking a handbag from a bedroom.

The elderly woman wrenched the bag from her grasp and tried to pull down the cardigan.

Morris did not brandish the knife but dropped it on the floor as she fled.

Gareth Walters, defending, described it as an "amateur attempt" at disguise in a ham-fisted bid to rob. There was no violence or threats with the knife.

Morris had been suffering from post-natal depression and her partner suggested she try heroin. She had become addicted and was desperate for cash.

It was a spur-of-the-moment offence when she had seen the open door.

Judge Geddes said the sad thing was that the victim would no doubt be fearful when anyone came to her front door in future.