A cowardly robber who deliberately targeted elderly people has “changed the lives” of his victims, police have said.

Brandishing a knife, Mohamed Mohamed, of Bishops Avenue, Chadwell Heath, approached a 71-year-old man on his doorstep and forced his way into his home.

He stole a small amount of cash and the pensioner’s bank cards, but the man gave him false PIN numbers so he could not withdraw any money.

The 21-year-old returned a few days later, possibly to challenge the victim over this, but he was out.

Mohamed then targeted a 70-year-old woman. He knocked her over outside the Sainsbury’s supermarket in High Road, Chadwell Heath, and ran off with her handbag.

Both victims suffered cuts and bruises and were treated in hospital.

Mohamed pleaded guilty to the robberies, which both happened in February, and was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to five years in prison for the first offence and two years for the second, to run consecutively.

The robber was given the punishment on August 22.

Det Con Steve Rush said: “These were violent robberies where the man appears to have deliberately targeted victims who he believed were vulnerable due to their age.

“It has changed the lives of both victims and each will take some time to come to terms with what this man has done.

“Both feel that, to some extent, their freedom has been taken away and both are now nervous to go out alone.

“Although the man has shown remorse in court, it is pleasing that the court has recognised the violent nature and seriousness of these crimes.”