A PENSIONER robbed in her own home said her own life sentence will continue long after her attacker is released from jail.

Anne Appleton, who suffered a stroke 12 years ago, was left “more terrified than ever” after drug addict Heather Morris burst into her Greater Leys flat.

The 68-year-old victim, who had left her door open to feed a power cable to her mobility scooter outside, last night said it has left her with a “life sentence” of consequences.

Morris, 32, was jailed for two years at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday after admitting robbery.

Mrs Appleton, who lives in accommodation for elderly and vulnerable people at Frys Court, described the sentence as “wonderful”, but admitted the events of February 1 had taken their toll.

Having visited Blackbird Leys Library that morning, Mrs Appleton was settling down in front of the television at about 11.30am when Morris, of no fixed address, came in, startled her and asked for a cigarette.

Prosecutor Tim Boswell said Mrs Appleton removed her purse from the table, slid it down the side of her chair and attempted to get the intruder to leave, but Morris spotted the move and stated: “I am not going anywhere without your purse.”

Morris lunged at Mrs Appleton saying “I am going to have it, I am going to have it”.

As Mrs Appleton reached for a pair of nail scissors to ward off her attacker, Morris said she was going to get a knife and backed off towards the kitchen.

Morris then snatched her victim’s purse containing cards, vouchers and £164 and ran off.

Mrs Appleton last night said: “I have never been so terrified in my life. It is completely altered my life, which was completely unnecessary.

“I have completely changed, I have never felt so useless, I could not do anything about it. I am only glad it happened to me and not some of the more vulnerable ones here.”

She added: “She has been given two years but I will serve this prison sentence for the rest of my life.”

In court, defence barrister Lucy Tapper said Morris, who has 13 convictions for 23 offences, had not targeted an elderly victim and was at the flats visiting a friend when she saw the open door.

She said “This was clearly more about opportunity than specific targeting.”