Elderly pensioner strangled with her own dog lead in 'vicious park attack'

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An 82-year old woman has been strangled with her own dog lead in a ‘vicious unprovoked attack’ after going for a walk in the park.

The grandmother-of-three was taken to hospital with serious injuries when builders heard her calling for help and found her covered in blood.

Catherine Smith first noticed her attacker when she was out walking her dog last week using a mobility scooter in Palace Road Nature Gardens, South London, police say.

She arrived home soon after 1pm to find her attacker sitting on a wall outside her house in Lydhurst Avenue.

The woman repeatedly asked her for money and “where’s Tracey” before asking if she could come in to use the toilet.

When Ms Smith refused to let her in, her attacker pushed the front door hard, causing the ‘vulnerable woman’ to fall backwards and hit her head.

Metropolitan Police officers said the attacker grabbed the pensioner’s dog lead, wrapped it round her neck and starting strangling her before escaping.

Ms Smith told the MailOnline she thought she was going to die.

“I could feel [the lead] getting tighter and tighter and I felt my breath going but I got my fingers underneath the lead and pulled it suddenly and pulled it down,” she said.

“I have never been attacked in my life.

"She bashed my head in and punched me in the eyes.

“I grabbed every part of her I could, I was quite surprised at the strength I had in me, I hung on as much as I could.”

DC Vicky Vincent, the investigating officer from Lambeth CID, said Ms Smith was left “very distressed” by the attack.

Police are appealing for anyone with information or who saw the attack to contact Lambeth CID on 07785774447, 101 or Tweet @MetCC.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.