This is the face of a pensioner who was strangled by her own dog's lead in a brutal attack by a woman on her own doorstep.

Catherine Smith was out on her mobility scooter walking her pet when she first spotted the suspect.

After arriving back home at around 1pm on Thursday (July 27), the 82-year-old again saw the woman sitting on a wall outside her home, asking "where's Tracey?" and demanding money, police said.

According to officers, the suspect then rang the doorbell and asked to use the toilet and when the victim refused the woman became aggressive and pushed the front door causing Ms Smith to fall backwards and hit her head.

Police said there was then a struggle before the suspect grabbed the victim's dog lead and started to strangle her before running off.

Ms Smith was taken to hospital with serious injuries but has since been discharged.

The attack happened in Lydhurst Avenue in Streatham Hill.

The suspect is described as a black woman, about 5ft 5ins tall, of slim build, with slick backed black hair. She was wearing a khaki coloured zipped coat, multi-coloured trainers and tights.

Detective Constable Vicky Vincent, the investigating officer from Lambeth CID, said: "This was a vicious unprovoked attack on an elderly vulnerable woman’s own doorstep. The attack has left her very distressed.

"We believe the suspect spotted Catherine in Palace Road Nature Gardens and for unknown reasons decided to follow her home, harass her and then brutally assault her.

"We would encourage anyone with information or any witnesses to contact us as a matter of urgency so we can bring the person responsible for this heinous crime to justice."

Cathrine Smith was taken to a west London hospital

Anyone with information or any witnesses should contact Lambeth CID on 07785 774447, 101 or Tweet @MetCC.

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

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