POLICE today condemned as "abhorrent" a thug who stabbed and robbed a disabled pensioner at his own home.

The 78-year-old victim, of Nelson Road, Goring, was attacked when he answered the doorbell just before 8pm last night.

The terrified man, who walks on crutches following a recent knee operation, was bundled into the house.

His attacker threatened him with a knife and demanded money.

He was shown £7 in change on the living room table but forced the victim to hand over his wallet, containing several hundred pounds.

The victim, who has not been named, tried to push the man away but was slashed with a knife during the struggle.

His assailant also ripped out the telephone line before fleeing the house, near Orchard Middle School.

He was challenged by the man's neighbour as he left but escaped and made off towards the railway station nearby.

The neighbour called an ambulance and the victim needed six stitches to a knife wound in his left thumb at Worthing Hospital.

He was also treated for shock.

The incident is thought to have lasted just a few minutes.

PC Chris Saunders, Sussex Police press officer for Highdown Division, said: "Not only is the victim of this crime elderly but he is also recovering from a knee operation.

"It never ceases to shock me when I hear about incidents like these.

"I cannot believe people will go this far. All crime is bad but this was abhorrent."

The attacker is described as in his early twenties, 5ft 9in tall, of slight build, with a pasty complexion.

He was wearing blue trousers, a navy blue waterproof jacket with a hood and a woolly hat with a red band on it.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Det Con Tom Keenan on 01903 231821, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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