A thief who posed as a kind neighbour to attack and rob a frail 81-year-olds home has been jailed for 12 years.
Leon Gunning, 50, masqueraded as a kindhearted neighbour when he approached the man in Levenshulme, Greater Manchester, last February, as the OAP was out on his daily walk to boost his legs blood circulation.
The crook offered to help the vulnerable old man walk back to his home but when they got to the front door Gunning forced his way in - initially insisting he needed the bathroom.
But Manchesters Minshull Street Crown Court heard he then hurled the terrified OAP to the floor, restrained him, ransacked his home, stole £15 in cash, and left the property.
Gunning, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, was found guilty of robbery and sentenced to 12 years and two months in jail.
Leon Gunning has been jailed for 12 years after he forced his way into the home of an elderly neighbour and stole £15
Gunning appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court (pictured) where the court heard of his sickening attack
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained how Gunning played an act of a caring neighbour as the victim took his usual daily walk down his street.
They said: The suspect approached the victim asking him did he need any help getting back to his house, saying that he was a neighbour of the victims that had just moved to the area.
It was at the point of arrival back at the elderly mans address where Gunning forced his way into the address, insisting that the victim made him a cup of tea and wanting to use his bathroom.
While in the address, he rummaged around the victims bedroom before heading back downstairs.
A few moments later, Gunning took the elderly mans emergency bracelet off his wrist, before pinning him to the couch, restraining his arms so he couldnt move.
He then threw the 81-year-old onto the floor and continued to search the address, eventually leaving with £15 in cash, the victims keys and emergency bracelet, leaving the latter two items in the porch of the property while he lay helpless on the floor of his own front room.
After the sentencing PC Billy Lontton, from the North Manchester Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: This is a really sickening attack on a vulnerable and elderly gentleman who was out on his daily walk which helps him with the blood circulation in his legs.
He has been attacked in his own home, somewhere that he should feel safe and protected, by a man who did not care what happened to him, leaving him injured and without assistance in his own front room.
Robbery and theft remain a priority for Greater Manchester Police, and we will investigate every report that comes in, with a view to locating, apprehending and charging individuals who think they have the right to take from others, without their consent.
We encourage anyone who may have been a victim, or if you know someone who has been, to contact us and you have our assurance that we will investigate.