CCTV image of suspected attacker Pic: Met Police

A CCTV image of a man who is suspected of what detectives described as a ‘horrific’ attack a 92-year-old woman in a Hackney last week has been released by police.

The man followed the woman along Hoxton Street before attacking her in front of Lawson Medical Centre. The victim was pulled to the ground and dragged by the suspect after trying to defend herself.

The suspect ran away after robbing the woman of her handbag, which contained a mobile phone and £100 cash according to the investigation team.

Police have also released an image of one of the injuries suffered by the woman, who sustained bruising all over her body with especially severe injuries on her ribs and left arm. She also suffered from mental distress after the attack. Her niece said she is “incredibly distraught, nervous and does not wish to be named out of fear” and is “terrified of leaving the house and has lost her independence.”

The victim’s injuries on her arm Pic: Met Police

“I have been involved in many serious cases, however, the devastating psychological trauma of this victim is possibly the worse I have encountered,” said  Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, from Hackney CID. “I cannot comprehend how anyone could target a frail lady in her nineties using this amount of violence, it is truly horrific.”

Police said the attacker was black with short black hair. He wore a blue hooded jacket and dark colored trousers.

The investigation team is now appealing for witness to help identify the suspect captured in CCTV.

Ridley said:“ We have clear CCTV of the attacker. All I need is a name. There are a team of officers on standby ready to arrest him.”

People with relevant information are asked to contact Hackney CID via 101 or Twitter on @MetCC under Operation Name ‘Brunton’.