A PENSIONER brutally robbed in her own home during broad daylight is recovering following the terrifying ordeal.

Myrtle Bryant was left bleeding and hurt following the robbery at her house in Highcliffe.

The 76-year-old had returned to her bungalow in Bluebell Close after a hospital appointment on Friday morning when she heard a noise at the front door just moments after her daughter Janet Swinnerton had left.

Mrs Bryant, who is now at home recovering from the ordeal, thought it was her daughter coming back and went to check the noise out.

She said: “I went to open the door and a stranger just walked past me and into my house. I just couldn’t believe it. I didn’t take it in.

“I remember he said something about my handbag and took a look around the corner in the hallway. I saw his face but he was wearing a hoodie. He looked straight at me.

“My handbag was with me and he grabbed it from me and then just ran. I let him have it. It could have been so much worse.

“It all happened so quickly I didn’t even realise he had grabbed my arm until a long time afterwards.

“I rang my daughter straight away and she had just got in the door, which proves how quickly it all happened.”

Her daughter rang the police and called for an ambulance who took Mrs Bryant to hospital for treatment to the injury to her upper arm.

She added: “The police were so efficient. I’ve never seen anything like it. They were absolutely wonderful.

“I think the intruder must have seen me come into the house when I got dropped off and took the chance.”

Stoic Mrs Bryant says she has been looked after by her family since the incident.

The defiant pensioner said: “I’m just getting on with it. What choice have I got? I’ve just got to carry on.

“I was amazed I looked straight at him and could clearly see his face.”

The attacker is described as white, of a slim build, 5ft 8ins and wearing black clothing. He is believed to be aged around 18-20.

Mrs Bryant is now considering changing her front door and will now be frequently checking the door is locked.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to contact them on 101 quoting number 119/6 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Community shocked by ‘disgusting’ attack

Local ward councillor, Lesley Dedman, branded the assault “disgusting”.

She said: “I really hope that whichever cowardly young man did this to her is caught quickly and is punished severely.

“Robbery is bad enough, but to hurt an elderly lady who was trusting enough to open her door to you, then leave her in pain and covered in blood whilst you make off with a few pounds, is absolutely disgusting.

“This guy needs to be caught before he hurts anyone else.

“I expect someone will come up with some exonerating circumstance to excuse this thug, but I am in no doubt who is the victim here.”

Residents said they were shocked to hear of such a crime in the quiet area.

John Hiblen, 73, said: “It’s quite a quiet area.

“Apart from a few issues with the park, I’ve lived here for 16 years and it is rare to hear of this.

“Everyone in this area of the close knows each other so it’s a friendly atmosphere. I’ve not heard anything about this.”

Fellow resident Moreen Moore, 68, said: “We get quite complacent around here because there is virtually no crime that I am aware of.

“The only thing recently has been an abandoned car.

“It’s a very quiet area.”

Alex Kyrillou, assistant manager at the Mace store in Saufland Place said: “It is extremely unusual to hear of something like this. I hope the lady is OK.

“Usually this is a very quiet area. I’ve been here for 11 years and I’ve never heard anything like this.”