A PENSIONER was attacked and robbed in his Wearside home as he recovered from an operation.

The 69-year-old man was alone in the upstairs flat in Ethel Terrace, Castletown, Sunderland, when the "senseless" attack happened.

The trusting pensioner, who has very poor mobility, had left his front door open to callers.

At about 7pm, on Tuesday, a knifeman burst in demanding money and dragged the invalid into the bedroom.

The robber snatched a red cloth cash bag filled with coins and ran off leaving his victim nursing superficial knife wounds to his neck and hands.

The distressed pensioner was recovering yesterday after being detained at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Detective Inspector John Watts, of Sunderland City CID, said: "I would appeal to the local population to contact us with any information about the identity of this culprit.

This was a completely senseless and unprovoked attack on a vulnerable man."

The robber is described as 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins, of medium build, with fair to blond hair. He was wearing a beige or fawn jacket or top and blue jeans.

Anyone with information can call police on 0191-454 7555, extension 66659.