A WOMAN who attempted to murder a 90-year-old grandmother has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Abosede Adeyinka, 52, a carer, of Hayman Crescent, Hayes, was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday (2). She had been found guilty of attempted murder but cleared of possession of a blade.

The conviction follows a brutal attack on the elderly woman in her own home.

It was at about 8.20pm on April 27 when police were called to reports of an elderly woman assaulted at an address in Lilac Place, West Drayton.

A 90-year-old woman was found with serious head injuries and a knife wound to her neck.

She was taken to hospital and found to have sustained a skull fracture and a serious wound to her neck. Thankfully, she has since recovered from most of the physical effects of the attack.

Detectives uncovered how Adeyinka had managed to build a relationship with the victim over a period of time after she previously provided private care at the address.

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Adeyinka continued to visit the victim, occasionally even after her work there had finished, and was familiar with her weekly routine.

At about 7.30 on the evening of the assault, Adeyinka knocked on the door and, when she got no reply, went to the key safe.

However the victim was at home, having been dropped off by her son, who had taken her shopping.

She had not got to the door to answer the knock but then opened it just as Adeyinka approached it.

The defendant had disguised herself with a face covering, but the victim was still able to recognise her.

Adeyinka pushed her to the floor, pulled a medical call alert from the victim's neck and took a hammer from her handbag before striking the old lady at least twice over the head.

During the incident, the victim also received a knife injury to the neck with the blade being lodged there.

Showing incredible courage, the old lady managed to pull the knife out of her neck and throw it back towards her attacker.

She told Adeyinka that her son was on his way and the defendant left.

The motive for her visit was believed to be to steal property.

A coat recovered at Adeyinka's home was found to have traces of the victim's blood, as was a handbag Adeyinka had with her at the time of her arrest.

Det Con James Harbour, the investigating officer, said: "This was a vile and disgusting crime on a defenceless grandmother in her own home.

“There are so many factors that make this a wicked attack, including a victim who was 90 and the level of violence used. In view of the age of the victim and brutality of the attack, I am truly thankful the victim has been able to recover.

"It is a credit to her that she was able to attend the trial in person and tell the court what had happened to her. I wish to pay tribute to her courage, resolve and integrity - a stark contrast to the behaviour of the defendant, who is now facing a lengthy term in prison."