A disabled widow last night spoke of her relief at a five-year jail term handed to a "despicable" burglar who raided her home days after she left hospital.

Grandmother Veronica Lambert, 62, had her broken left leg in plaster when Frederick King and an accomplice burst into her bungalow at night.

What followed was an appalling ordeal described by Judge Anthony Niblett as one of the most despicable in his 12 years on the bench.

King, 42, of the Town Farm Estate, Hailsham, had denied responsibility, saying he spent all night watching videos with his family.

Later his story changed. He claimed he and his accomplice had intended to steal Mrs Lambert's disability buggy - but again denied involvement in the raid.

But a Hove Crown Court jury convicted him of burglary on Wednesday following a two-day trial in which saw Mrs Lambert gave evidence.

The judge gave her a commendation for her bravery and dignity.

Last night Mrs Lambert, of Greenwich Road, Hailsham, said: "My confidence has been completely undermined since the burglary.

"I never go out at night and feel scared even going into my back garden. I cannot understand how one human being could do such a thing to another."

Mrs Lambert was about to go to bed last October 24 when she saw shadows outside her kitchen door.

She thought someone was tampering with her electric mobility scooter.

Mrs Lambert then heard banging on her door and shouted: "What do you want?" A man replied: "There's smoke coming out of your scooter."

She opened the kitchen door slightly and told the two men to pull the plug out of the charger. One of them said they needed water to put the smoke out.

As the men increased their persistence, one said their grandmother lived nearby and had sent them after spotting the smoke.

Police said the men were using every opportunity to dupe their way into her house. Mrs Lambert tried to put the safety bolt on but it slipped. The men then barged in and Mrs Lambert was pushed against the door frame.

One of the offenders went into the lounge and Mrs Lambert was shoved by one of the men so he could leave.

As he dashed past her, Mrs Lambert used one of her crutches to hit him.

After they left, she found they had stolen her handbag containing £25, a credit card and savings book. Also stolen were two pencil cases.

Following an identity parade, King was charged with burglary. Not enough evidence was available to prosecute his accomplice.

Detective Constable Dave Charlton, of Uckfield CID, said: "She has been remarkably brave and shown a lot of courage and dignity."

Before the court case, thieves entered Mrs Lambert garden and stole her mobility scooter, later found smashed to pieces.

Police arranged for £400 to be given to her through the Hailsham and District Crime Prevention Panel towards a replacement.