Oldham man caged for 12 years following 'sickening' attack on 81-year-old

A man from Oldham has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after assaulting and robbing an 81-year-old in Levenshulme.

Leon Gunning (aged 50), of Edward Street in Oldham, was today (Wednesday), at Minshull Street Crown Court, sentenced to 12 years and two months imprisonment after being found guilty of assaulting and robbing an 81-year-old man in Levenshulme back in February.

The court heard how Gunning played an act of a caring neighbour as the victim took his usual daily walk down his street.

The suspect approached the victim asking him did he need any help getting back to his house, saying that he was a neighbour of the victim’s that had just moved to the area.

It was at the point of arrival back at the elderly man’s address where Gunning forced his way into the address, insisting that the victim made him a cup of tea and wanting to use his bathroom.

While in the address, he rummaged around the victim’s bedroom before heading back downstairs.

A few moments later, Gunning took the elderly man’s emergency bracelet off his wrist, before pinning him to the couch, restraining his arms so he couldn't move.

He then threw the 81-year-old onto the floor and continued to search the address, eventually leaving with £15 in cash, the victim’s keys and emergency bracelet, leaving the latter two items in the porch of the property while he lay helpless on the floor of his own front room.

PC Billy Lontton, from Greater Manchester Police's North Manchester Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This is a really sickening attack on a vulnerable and elderly gentleman who was out on his daily walk which helps him with the blood circulation in his legs.

“He has been attacked in his own home, somewhere that he should feel safe and protected, by a man who did not care what happened to him, leaving him injured and without assistance in his own front room.

“Robbery and theft remain a priority for Greater Manchester Police, and we will investigate every report that comes in, with a view to locating, apprehending and charging individuals who think they have the right to take from others, without their consent.

“We encourage anyone who may have been a victim, or if you know someone who has been, to contact us and you have our assurance that we will investigate.”

GMP can be contact by dialling 101 or via the Live Chat function on the website: www.gmp.police.uk

Information can be passed to us anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

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