'Fearsome' Leeds robber punched frail 89-year-old widow, ripped jewellery from her neck and stole her engagement ring after kicking down door to her home

The terrified pensioner feared she was going to die or be sexually assaulted as Martin Cameron carried out the horrific assault.

Cameron, 41, was given an extended prison sentence of 17 years for robbing the woman at her home in Leeds in November 2020.

Leeds Crown Court heard how powerfully-built Cameron kicked the door to her home "clean off its hinges" as the woman was asleep in bed.

The robbery took place just three months after the death of the victim's husband of 54 years.

A jury heard she was already nervous about being alone in her home when Cameron targeted the property.

After hearing the noise from the door being kicked in she went downstairs and was confronted by Cameron.

The defendant went upstairs and began searching her room.

The victim followed Cameron and he grabbed her by the neck and threw her onto the bed.

Cameron then straddled her on the bed and punched her to the head and face before ripping the jewellery she was wearing from around her neck.

He continued to search the room and took "items of immense sentimental value", including her engagement ring and an eternity ring given to her by her late husband.

Cameron left the property but was identified as the attacker after his DNA was recovered from the victim's nightie.

He was also linked to the attack from mobile phone cell site analysis.

Cameron, of Lydgate, Burmantofts, was found guilty of robbery after a trial.

He was also found guilty of burglary at a house in Harehills committed six days before the robbery.

Cameron has previous convictions for robbery and burglary dating back to 1994.