A PENSIONER was clubbed over the head with her own walking stick and pinned to the ground by a thug’s foot when violent thieves broke into her home.

At the same time as one of the thieves was attacking the defenceless 82-year-old woman, her 90-year-old husband was bundled into a bedroom and locked in.

The couple, named Joyce and John, were left so shaken by the terrifying ordeal they asked a neighbour from Rhododendron Avenue, Meopham, near Gravesend, to describe what had happened to them.

She explained how the two pensioners, who were fiercely independent before the attack, were sitting in their living room at around 11pm when two men smashed their way into their home, removing their front gate from its hinges and breaking down the front door.

Joyce, who is only around 5ft tall, heard a noise and walked into the hall to investigate. She was confronted by the two balaclava-clad robbers, one of whom punched her in the face before taking her walking stick and striking her with it.

While on the floor, Joyce believes she passed out momentarily, before waking to find the thugs foot-holding her to the ground. Her attacker, who she described as having a very loud voice, threatened to kill the frightened lady if she tried to move.

The two thieves then managed to escape with a large amount of cash which the couple were intending to use to pay their council tax.

The neighbour said: “Who could do something like this? Afterwards they both just seemed to be in complete shock. I’ve never seen them like this before.

“Everyone is rallying round to help out. All the neighbours are doing their bit. We have put extra bolts on the doors and cut down trees to make sure we can see the house. The council are talking about improving the lighting too.”

The offenders were both white. One was around 5ft 3ins tall, of slim build and the other was around 6ft tall, of stocky build wearing a black puffed jacket.

DC Nick Whiteoak said: “ This incident has caused the victims a great deal of distress and I would urge anyone with information to contact the police.”

Anyone with information about the robbery, which happened on Sunday, October 9, is asked to contact DC Nick Whiteoak at North Kent on 01474 565167 quoting reference 22398 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

* The surnames of the victims are not being revealed.