Chalfont St Peter woman "attacked by the younger generation" (From This Is Local London)

Chalfont St Peter woman "attacked by the younger generation"

12:35pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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A 98-YEAR-old woman who lives “a very independent life” has been left disorientated and confused after a heartless mugger pushed her to the ground and stole her shopping and handbag.

Leonora Rush was walking home on Saturday between 2.45 and 3pm with shopping when she was pushed to the ground in Gravel Hill on the A413 slip road leading from a Tesco Express petrol station.

An eyewitness saw the incident and Mrs Rush was taken to Wexham Park Hospital as she sustained head injuries and bruising.

Mrs Rush's family are appealing for help to find the mugger who escaped with a jar of Marmite and about £30 in cash.

Her son Jonathan, 61, said Mrs Rush was on the last ship to come out safely from Singapore during World War II when it fell to the Japanese. Her husband was in the army and she lived in “many places” abroad.

He added: “She has survived all those years and she has been attacked by the younger generation.

“We were shocked and appalled. I just hope the image in the newspaper means someone will recognise her.”

Mrs Rush, who lives in the village, said: “It was horrible. I couldn't understand it. It was a nasty shock.”

She added: “It is making me a bit dizzy. When it happened I just didn't know where I was. I have never experienced anything like that before.”

Mr Rush, who she has lived with since 1992 after her husband died, said his mother has become a lot more confused and is finding it difficult to find the right words.

He said: “My mum would walk by herself every day. She is very independent- a strong old bird. She has her own annexe and her own room. She looks after herself and apart from family meals she cooks for herself.

“This has knocked her for six. We are probably going to have to get home care in to come in and take her shopping.”

She has not been shopping since but her family hope she will go again soon, either by herself or with someone, as she is “very insistent”.

Police want to speak to a slim, white woman with dark hair tied back in a ponytail in connection with the investigation. CCTV images show her wearing a dark tracksuit.

Det Con Emma Francis, the officer investigating the robbery, said: “This is a particularly nasty attack on an elderly and vulnerable lady.

“We are committed to bringing those responsible to justice as soon as possible. We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack or who saw a woman fitting the description. We would like to hear from anyone who saw a dark, transit-style van in the area at the time.”

Anyone who saw something suspicious at the time or who knows who committed the crime is asked to contact police on 0845 8 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.