Robber who masqueraded as good neighbour jailed

Leon Gunning was jailed for more than 12 years after robbing and attacking a pensioner

A robber who masqueraded as a caring neighbour to gain entry to an 81-year-old man's home before throwing him to the ground in a "sickening attack" has been jailed.

Leon Gunning from Middleton approached the man on the street, pretending to help him walk to his home in Levenshulme in February.

The 50-year-old then forced his way in, insisting he needed the bathroom, before hurling the pensioner to the floor, searching the house and making off with a small sum of cash.

Gunning was found guilty of robbery at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court and sentenced to 12 years and two months in jail.

The victim was approached by Gunning while he was out on a daily walk to help the blood circulation in his legs, PC Billy Lontton of Greater Manchester Police said.

Gunning said he was a neighbour and asked if the elderly man needed help, the court heard.

He then forced his way into the home and demanded his victim make him a cup of tea, before claiming he needed the bathroom and went upstairs to search a bedroom.

Gunning then pinned the man to a sofa before pushing him to the floor and continued his search of the address before leaving.

PC Lontton said the man had been left "injured and without assistance in his own front room", a place where he "should feel safe and protected".

He added: "This is a really sickening attack."