AN 83-year-old housebound woman was left bruised and battered by a robber who attacked her for £20 as a Bolton man acted as lookout.

Olga Keegan was beaten by Mark Andrew Harrison, aged 24, of Darley Avenue, Chorlton, as Christopher Derek McGuire, aged 20, of Le Gendre Street, Tonge Moor, looked on "shocked and appalled", Manchester Crown Court was told on Tuesday.

Harrison was jailed for 15 years after pleading guilty to robbery and causing grievous bodily harm. He also admitted another robbery on a 73-year-old woman.

McGuire, who joined Harrison on the first raid, pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for three years.

The court was told that McGuire had given a statement to police and was prepared to testify against Harrison. The offences took place in March and April.

Harrison attacked Mrs Keegan, leaving her with severe injuries, after the pair smashed their way into her house in Southdene Avenue, West Didsbury, in the early hours of the morning.

After breaking down the front door, they found her in the front room where she used to sleep. Harrison then hit her about the head and arms.

Stuart Neale, prosecuting, said: "Maguire came into the front room to find Harrison standing over Mrs Keegan. Harrison immediately started hitting her and demanding money."

She had severe cuts and bruising and was treated in hospital for more than two months. She has been unable to return home and now lives in a care home.

The attack on Mrs Keegan was recorded on tape after she managed to press a panic button and it was played to a hushed courtroom.

Her daughter-in-law said today: "Since the attack my mother-in-law has been depressed and has deteriorated considerably, both physically and mentally.

"This terrible experience has affected the whole family. She is almost unrecognisable from the loving mother she used to be.

"She is now frail, vulnerable and depressed. It is heartbreaking for us all. The men who did this have robbed our family of a very special and well-loved lady".

In another incident, Harrison targeted the home of a pensioner in Chorlton in the evening. He knocked on the door and, when the woman opened it, he pushed her inside and ransacked the house, escaping with her handbag, purse and glasses.

During the attack the woman suffered a broken knee and cuts and bruises, and she had to spend more than two months in hospital.

Det Chief Insp Phil Owen, of Didsbury CID, said: "They were not content with stealing. Harrison then went on to physically injure them, leaving one victim with particularly horrific injuries. As well as this, she has been left with mental scars from which she may never recover."

"Harrison and McGuire deserve to spend a considerable period of time in prison and I only hope the sentences can help the victims and their families feel justice has been done, so they may begin to start to rebuild their lives".