A crack addict who mugged a frail 83-year-old woman in broad daylight, has been jailed for four years today.

Rose Eisner bravely fought back when Samantha Murray, 34, of Genas Close, Barkingside, snatched her handbag and pushed her to the ground while wearing a hood to disguise her face.

Mrs Eisner required medical attention after the robbery on June 8 last year in Longwood Gardens, Clayhall.

The 83-year-old was left “petrified” after her ordeal but she accompanied police on a drive around of the area to track down Murray.

She was discovered in nearby Cranbrook Road with the handbag, containing �28, a Nokia mobile phone and an antique compact.

Prosecutor David Malone told the court: “The victim was a vulnerable, easy target but she fought valiantly to maintain her bag.”

In a statement, Mrs Eisner told how the attack had crushed her confidence and left her looking over her shoulder.

Murray travelled to Ilford from Plaistow, where she had spent the previous night on a crack binge, and had just six pence in her purse when she targeted Mrs Eisner.

The mother-of-four denied robbing Mrs Eisner but a jury convicted her following a two-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Sentencing, Judge Alan Pardoe QC, said: “Not only was your victim 83, but she was a little person, under 5ft and very slightly built. You targeted her because she was a little old lady with a bag.

“You pulled the bag and stole it from her, having pushed her to the ground. The motivation for the robbery, in my judgement and on the evidence, was an overwhelming need on your part for crack.”

Mark Sahu, defending Murray, insisted she was remorseful for her actions, adding that the mugging was unplanned and opportunistic.