Shaquille Barrett has pleaded guilty. Credit: Met Police.

An unemployed man from Croydon has been jailed for four years for attacking and robbing a pensioner as he washed his car.

Shaquille Barrett, 21, of Thornton Heath, appeared in Croydon Crown Court last Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to assaulting an 81-year-old man, as well as additional charges of robbery and possession of a knife.

On the morning of September 16, the victim was washing his car in his driveway in Thornton Heath when three men approached him.

One of the men, carrying a knife, entered the driveway, and proceeded to punch and push the man to the floor.

The defendants took his phone, wallet and watch, before fleeing towards Green Lane.

The 81-year-old suffered a stab wound to his hand and was treated at hospital after the ambulance was called to the scene.

Police arrested Barrett five days later after he was identified in CCTV footage.

Emma Crowley, from Croydon CID, said: “This was a despicable crime against an elderly victim who was at his home address at the time.

“Thankfully Barrett has been swiftly brought to justice before he could commit any further offences.”

Barrett was also dealt a three-year sentence for stealing £100 from a man who had just won the money in a betting shop in July, and a further six month sentence for the possession of a knife in Tooting just days after the second robbery.

Barrett was sentenced to a further 16 weeks imprisonment for breaching two previous suspended prison sentences.

Another man is currently awaiting his trial in connection with the robbery.

Police are still trying to trace the third man.