by Joe Walker

jwalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

The devastated son of a war veteran murdered for £40 and an out-of-date bus pass has spoken of his anguish.

Distraught Philip Bacon, 63, of Manor Road, Tankerton, told how his 90-year-old dad Geoffrey "died inside" after he was attacked by a cowardly mugger on his doorstep.

The frail pensioner was pounced on from behind by the vicious thug as he returned home from shopping.

He was thrown to the floor - shattering his hip - and punched in the face as he lay defenceless on the ground.

After ransacking the flat in Camberwell, the attacker escaped with the old man's out-of-date bus pass and £40, leaving him for dead.

It was 30 agonising minutes before a neighbour heard him banging on the door with a walking stick.

After three months recovering in hospital and a care home in Westgate, he died from his injuries, sparking a murder inquiry and a £20,000 award for his killer's capture.

Fighting back tears, Philip said: "He was attacked from behind and kicked and punched on the ground.

"What sort of man could do that to a poor old chap? If he had just asked my dad for some money he would have given it to him.

"If I ever got hold of him I'd end up doing time myself. He's just scum."

Philip speaks proudly of his father's time in the army, telling how he chauffered Eisenhower in France during the Second World War and volunteered to risk his life on secret missions against the Nazis.

He said: "He was a great soldier and served his country well. This thug wouldn't have dreamed of attacking him in the 1940s.

"My dad would have torn his head of, that's for sure.

"Even at 90 he was in good health and very independent. He used to do his own shopping and cleaning and didn't want help from anyone.

"That's why the attack affected him so much. He had to go to a care home in Westgate and was in a wheelchair because he couldn't walk.

"He'd lost his independence and you could see the life and determination sapping out of him. It was almost like he'd died inside the day he was attacked.

"He wasn't the man we knew anymore."

Great-grandfather Mr Bacon was attacked in April and died of his injuries three months later on August 5.

The Met Police have launched a hunt for his killer, who is described as a light-skinned black man in his 30s.

Police believe he may have mugged a 66-year-old woman for her handbag earlier the same day.

Leading the hunt, Det Insp Richard Beadle said: "This is the sort of crime which touches a chord with people - it certainly touches a chord with those investigating it.

"We're talking about an extremely vulnerable elderly man attacked from behind.

"It is the worst you can possibly imagine and it has led to the worst possible outcome. We will do everything in our power to find the person responsible."

Philip said: "I just hope they catch him and put him where he belongs - behind bars.

"He took away my dad's life for the sake of a few pennies and an out-of-date bus pass.

"The sooner he's off the streets, the better."