Crimestoppers is offering a £5,000 reward to find the culprit who brutally assaulted an elderly woman in Lambeth.

Detectives continue to appeal for information after pensioner Catherine Smith, 82, was attacked and strangled with her own dog lead on July 27.

Mrs Smith, 82, was out walking her dog on her mobility scooter in Palace Road Nature Gardens when she first saw the suspect at about 1pm.

When Catherine arrived home in Lydhurst Avenue, she saw a woman who was at the park, but whom she does not know, sitting on the wall outside her home.

The woman repeatedly asked Catherine for money and where “Tracey” was. Catherine does not know Tracey.

The suspect then rang the doorbell and asked Catherine if she could use her toilet, to which the 82-year-old refused.

The suspect became aggressive, pushing open the front door which caused Catherine to fall backwards and hit her head.

She grabbed the victim’s dog lead, wrapped it around her neck and started to strangle her.

She then ran off in an unknown direction, leaving Catherine, who called for help. Members off the public came to her aid and called the police.

Catherine was taken to a south London hospital with serious injuries. She has since been discharged.

The suspect is described as a black female, about 5ft 5ins tall, of slim build, with slick backed black hair.

She was wearing a khaki coloured coat with a zip, multi-coloured trainers and tights.

DC Vicky Vincent, the investigating officer from Lambeth CID, said: “This was a vicious unprovoked attack on an elderly vulnerable woman. The attack has left her very distressed.

“We believe the suspect spotted Catherine in Palace Road Nature Gardens and for unknown reasons decided to follow her home, harass her and then brutally assault her.

“We are still appealing for anyone with information or any witnesses to contact us as a matter of urgency so we can bring the person responsible for this heinous crime to justice.”

The reward will be given for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

To pass on information completely anonymously or to qualify for the reward, contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Alternatively, anyone with information or any witnesses can also contact Lambeth CID on 07785774447, 101 or Tweet @MetCC.