A DRUGGED up man who subjected an 88-year-old pensioner to a 30-minute terror attack of "humiliation and torture," was today behind bars for six years.

Burnley Crown Court had heard how Stephen Price, 22, tied up his disabled victim, punched her, knocked her out, put his hand inside her skirt and rifled her home - as she thought she was going to die.

He finally left her with a towel on her head, but she struggled free and, crawling on her hands and knees, threw a vase through a window to summon help.

Sentencing Price, who has previous convictions for violence but can remember nothing about the woman's ordeal at his hands, Judge Raymond Bennett said what he had done to her was dreadful and degrading.

He said the pensioner would never forget what he did and would never feel completely at ease in her own home again. The judge went on: "You ransacked her house before her very eyes and all you got for it was a bottle of whisky."

Price, then lodging in Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, admitted robbery. The prosecution said it did not intend to pursue a charge of indecent assault and the judge formally recorded a not guilty verdict. He ordered an extended licence period of four years.

John Jones, prosecuting, said the complainant lived alone in Nelson. In September, at about 11.45am, she was pegging out washing when Price ran towards her. She was immediately frightened and rushed to her door, but the defendant got there first and pushed her inside. She pleaded: "Take anything you want. Leave me alone. I'm only a pensioner." But Price closed and locked the door and punched her in the face. Then began 30 minutes of humiliation and torture.

When the 88-year-old came to her senses, Price ransacked her kitchen but did not get much - although he did help himself to a £1 coin put aside for her meals on wheels.

He refused to let her use her stairlift to get upstairs and instead kicked and punched her up the stairs. Price then pushed her into the bathroom and bound her hands with a belt and her feet with a light cord, as she lay unconscious. He also put a towel over her head like a hood.

Mr Jones said the pensioner miraculously broke free and, unsure whether Price was still there, she crawled away trying to make as little noise as possible. She threw a vase through a window and alerted a neighbour who called police.

Despite her ordeal the pensioner picked out Price on an identity parade and forensic analysis confirmed fibres from his glove.

The 88-year-old, who had been in shock and unable to breathe after the attack, was unable to return to her home for several months, was terrified and now did not go out.

Paul Treble, defending, said Price had pleaded guilty and prevented the victim from having to relive what happened. He had no recollection of events at all and had taken a cocktail of drugs. He was sorry and wanted to apologise to the victim.

Mr Treble went on: "The offence was terrible, but largely out of character." Detective Inspector Simon Leach, of Nelson CID, today praised the elderly woman's bravery during and after her ordeal.

"This was a very serious crime committed against a defenceless elderly lady in her home," he said.

"He subjected her to an extremely brutal attack.

"Considering the circumstances she held up well. She is a very brave and gallant lady.

"I'm very pleased this man has been convicted.

"Six years is a justifiable sentence for a crime of this kind and we hope it sends out the right message that crimes of this nature will not be tolerated."

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