The daughter of a pensioner whose hip was broken during a robbery at her home is warning vulnerable people her attacker is still on the loose.

Sue Cossey, 51, from Edneys Hill, Wokingham, believes the conman may prey on other elderly victims after her mother Veronica (Ronnie) Manser, who turned 85 yesterday, was attacked.

E-fit released after elderly woman robbed in Crowthorne

Mrs Cossey said: “This guy is out there – he visited my mum’s house on two separate occasions and is the sort of the guy who is going to do it again. People who prey on the vulnerable and sick have got to be put away.

“She stated categorically she can’t go back to that flat when she is discharged from hospital. She may have to go to a care home.

“She has been robbed of her dignity – she was so proud, independent and loving – all that has been taken away.”

A fraudster visited Mrs Manser’s home in St Francis Close, Crowthorne, on Wednesday, October 10, claiming he needed to fix a leak from the flat above, and took £40.

Two weeks later, the pensioner, who uses a zimmer frame, was robbed by a person believed to be the same man after she left her home to check her post box at about 1pm on Wednesday, October 24. The robber followed her into the communal area, knocked her over from behind and took her wallet containing around £150 before leaving her on the floor with a fractured hip.

The former nurse, has gone from being ‘bright as a button’ and ‘proud and independent’ to ‘confused’ and ‘frightened’, according to her daughter.

Mum-of-two Mrs Cossey said: “I was absolutely devastated – I was first on the scene and when I saw her on the floor in so much pain everything rushed through my mind.

“I didn’t know if she would survive.

“If she hadn’t had the emergency alarm god knows how long it would have taken. She has been in hospital since then and I don’t think she will walk again.”

Mrs Manser had to have an operation and is recovering at Frimley Park Hospital after having a blood transfusion. Mrs Cossey said: “Since she has been in hospital she has suffered so much shock she is confused and has been having nightmares – hopefully she will come back to being herself.

“The robbery was so easy to do yet the repercussions are so massive for a certain age. It’s very sad that someone so caring and trusting would be taken advantage of like this.”

Mrs Cossey wants people to be vigilant and hopes her mother’s story will lead to more people coming forward with information.

Police have released an e-fit of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the robbery.

The robber is white, in his mid to late thirties, about 6ft tall and broadly built. He was wearing a black jacket, jeans and trainers.

Investigating officer Det Con Alex Hillan, of Bracknell CID, said: “This was a cowardly assault on an elderly and vulnerable woman in her own home. We are urging anyone who recognises the person in the e-fit to call us.”

Contact Det Con Hillan at Bracknell CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.