A 35-year-old man was today being questioned about a brutal attack on a 90-year-old woman which has left her fighting for her life.
The man, from Westcliff, was arrested last night on suspicion of robbery and grievous bodily harm.
He was being quizzed by detectives in Southend, who said they were horrified by the level of violence used in yesterday's attack.
The 90-year-old, from Thistley Close, Leigh, had been out to nearby shops and was returning to her house just after 12.30pm when she was attacked by a man who robbed her of cash.
The woman sustained a serious head injury and was taken by ambulance to Southend Hospital, where she is now in a critical but stable condition.
Police launched a large-scale search for the man after he was seen running down an alleyway near Treelawn Drive.
A police spokesman said: "This is a particularly nasty attack on an extremely vulnerable and frail old lady."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Southend detectives on 01702 431212.
Published Friday June 11, 2004
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