A man has been jailed for four years for attacking and robbing a pensioner as he washed his car in Thornton Heath.

Shaquille Barrett, 21, of Windsor Road, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to the robbery, as well as separate charges of robbery and possession of a knife.

He admitted to being one of three men who jumped an 81-year old washing his car in his Thornton Heath driveway on the morning of Wednesday, September 16.

The victim was punched, knocked to the floor and suffered stab wounds to the hand.

The men robbed the victim's phone, wallet and watch before fleeing on foot towards Green Lane.

Paramedics were called and took the victim to hospital.

Police arrested Barrett five days later after spotting him in CCTV from the morning of the attack.

Another man is awaiting for trial in connection with the attack. A third man remains at large.

Barrett also pleaded guilty to two other offences dating back to July.

On Friday, July 17, Barrett followed a man who had won £100 on the slot machines at William Hill on Thornton Heath High Street, before knocking the wallet out of his hand and running off.

Days later Barrett was seen by police in Rectory Lane, Tooting. He fled, but officers recovered a knife from the scene which had his fingerprints on it.

Detective Constable Emma Crowley, from Croydon CID, said: "This was a despicable crime against an elderly victim who was at his home address at the time. Thankfully Barrett has been swiftly brought to justice before he could commit any further offences."

Barrett was also sentenced to a further 16 weeks imprisonment, to run concurrently, for breaching two previous suspended prison sentences.