Two men who took part in a violent robbery of an 84-year-old woman in her own home were jailed today.

Kevin Patel, 34, of Kenmore Avenue, Kenton, and Nikhil Patel, 21, of Radstock Avenue, Harrow, were sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court.

Both pleaded guilty to their part in the robbery of a widowed woman in her home in Cuckoo Hill Road, Pinner, on January 12, 2013.

The day before the attack the pair had knocked at the door of the home in Pinner to fraudulently ask for charity sponsorship from the victim, who gave them £10.

The following night they returned with two teenage boys, who knocked on the door asking to look for a lost rabbit.

The victim turned them away, and minutes later they knocked on the door again this time with Nikhil Patel.

She told them it was too dark to look for the pet but as she turned to go back into the house Kevin Patel, who was hiding near the garage, pushed her to the ground.

He shouted at the woman demanding money and jewellery and then dragged her to the kitchen.

After going upstairs and finding nothing he came down and again demanded money.

She then told him where it was at which point he ran upstairs and took her purse and ran off.

The woman was taken to Northwick Park Hospital and had lacerations on her head and leg.

Prosecution barrister John Hulme said: “The victim had gone from a healthy person living independently, to someone who was living in fear because of this attack.”

The pair were caught after traces of the victim's blood were found on the shoe of Kevin Patel.

Kevin Patel was jailed for six years and eight months for robbery and ten months for conspiracy to defraud.

Nikhil Patel was sentenced for 20 months' imprisonment, 12 months for theft and eight months for fraud.

Sentencing the two, His Honour Judge Christopher Parker QC said: “This was an utterly devastating act of violence in the robbery.

He added: “The wounds from the attack healed quickly but the psychological impact of this incident has left the victim isolated and a prisoner in her own home.

“After going to her home to fraudulently collect charitable donations you knew she was alone, she was frail and that she was vulnerable.”

Detective Paul Matthews, of Hillingdon Police said: “We are glad we have got two custodial sentences for these crimes on vulnerable person who has been deeply affected by this incident.

“I’m pleased they are both behind bars and will not be harming anyone else.”