A BRAVE pensioner held at knifepoint by a serial robber told him: "I'm not afraid of you."

The battling 88-year-old refused to back down despite being face-to-face with a sneering thug linked to a string of increasingly violent attacks on elderly people.

And when the intruder threatened the man's frail 86-year-old wife he jabbed the yob with his walking stick - and was booted in the ribs.

Detectives have launched an urgent appeal to catch the culprit, whose victims are all aged 80 or over and living in the Hale Street area, before his attacks end in tragedy.

Detective Constable Debbie Bunker said: "The violence is escalating with every attack and something horrific is going to happen if this man is not caught."

Today one of his victims - in an attempt to help police lock the thug up - has recalled his terrifying ordeal.

The former boxer, who has asked not to be named, was answering the door of his town centre home when the robber burst in, sending him crashing to the floor.

Demanding cash and hurling abuse, the intruder searched the property for valuables while manhandling the pensioner.

Turning his attentions to the man's wife, he attempted to frighten her into handing over cash.

Still on the floor, her husband lashed out with his walking stick. But the yob just kicked him in the chest.

Then the attacker produced a dagger-style knife to reinforce his threats - without success.

The victim said: "He came to me with this knife and held it to my neck. I said to him "If that is what you've come for then stick it in because I am not afraid of you.'"

Seconds later the man fled from their bungalow empty-handed. Police and paramedics arrived promptly and the victim was taken to Warrington Hospital for treatment.

The man in each case is thought to be around 5ft 10 to 6ft tall, aged between 35 and 40, with short brown hair and wearing dark clothing.

Police have revealed details about the suspected serial robber's timetable of shame:

October 1998 - a 96-year-old woman is confronted by a stranger in her own home, bundled into the living room and threatened before he escaped with cash.

November 1998 - thug barged into the home of an 84-year-old man, issued threats and fled with cash.

December 1998 - an 88-year-old man is robbed by a man answering the same description. The same month a similar attack takes place on another pensioner.

January 1999 - the attack on the former boxer.

And just last Friday a 96-year-old woman was hospitalised when a robber forced his way into her home.

DC Bunker added: "I just cannot stress enough that people should dial 999 the minute they see something suspicious."

In an direct appeal to the suspect, DC Bunker said: "How would he feel if it was his parents or grandparents?"

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Warrington CID on 01244 613867 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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