THIS frightened 89-year-old is the latest victim of Bolton's yob culture.

She has been left in agony with a dislocated shoulder after she was mugged for just £15 as she went to post a Christmas card and buy a Bolton Evening News.

She was attacked from behind and dragged to the floor by a youth aged just 15 or 16.

And speaking from her hospital bed, the pensioner who is too frightened to be identified, said: "I think tougher punishments should be brought in."

The attack came on the same day that four juveniles walked free from Youth Court after admitting public order offences and being part of a gang who hurled abuse at former Horwich fireman Ken Arrowsmith who lay dying after collapsing as he chased the young thugs.

Magistrates admitted the sentence would anger people and now Bolton's MPs are urging Home Secretary Jack Straw to introduce tough new penalties against youths who terrorise residents.

The fiercely independent spinister, who is still in the Royal Bolton Hospital five days after the attack, welcomed the calls for increased judicial powers to fight the young thugs.

She said: "Whoever did this wants a damn good hiding. I just wish I could get hold of him. All I can remember is being pulled by the arm and going full length on the floor.

"My face was covered in mud and so was my coat. The only thing I saw were his white trainers as he ran away. I never heard him, he must have crept up behind me.

"I've been in shocking pain. I have been given pain killers but I've not been able to move my arm. It has been terribly sore.

"These kind of people are not being kept in check. Teachers at school are not allowed to control children properly and mothers are not allowed to slap a child now. There is a difference between checking a child and abuse."

The attack came just hours after the pensioner -- who worked in a Bolton cotton mill for 46 years from the age of 14, before taking a cleaning job until she was 70 -- had enjoyed a church Christmas dinner.

Her injuries meant she was also unable to attend a meal at Smithills Hall on Monday night.

Police chiefs called the teenage attacker a "coward" following the mugging in Langthorne Walk, Deane, at 3.20pm on Monday.

The woman was left traumatised and is too scared to be identified. She has passed on brief details of the attacker, who was wearing dark clothing, to police.

Supt Don Brown, of Bolton Central police station, said: "I have no doubt that somebody knows who this offender is. They should ask themselves if they are prepared to protect such a coward who would attack an aged person causing potentially serious injuries."

Anyone with information about the attack on December 11 is asked to contact Bolton Central CID on 0161 856 5640.