A SIDCUP man used his new car as a weapon by running down elderly women and robbing them.

Justin Lait, aged 31, of Caerleon Close, was jailed for eight years at Croydon Crown Court, after admitting a series of violent robberies using his newly bought Fiat Uno.

One victim, an 84-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and needed 16 stitches to a leg wound after she was hit from behind by Lait's car in Annandale Road, Sidcup, on September 26. A man jumped out of the driver's door and grabbed the woman's bag before driving off.

Three days later, Lait spotted an 86-year-old on her way home from Sidcup library. She crossed the road in front of a car which slowed for her to cross. Lait ran her over from behind and snatched her bag.

On October 1, a 66-year-old hairdresser was pulling a wheeled shopping trolley in Sherington Road, Charlton. She heard a car behind her mount the pavement and it hit her in the back.

As she lay on the ground, Lait opened the driver's door and grabbed her shopping trolley, dragging it into the car before driving off.

Speaking after the case, the victim told the News Shopper she would never forget the anger on his face as he struggled to get her shopping trolley into his car. "I said to him whatever have you done to me?'."

The woman, who is too frightened to be named went on: "My fingers were bleeding and I was crying. He was just a maniac. He was like an animal which had been let loose. If he had asked me, I would have given him the trolley."

She said she is still nervous and has to stand with her back to a wall if she hears a car revving. "I used to go walking, but now I have pain in the backs of my legs and ankles and in the back of my neck"

But she says she won't let it ruin her life.

The court heard that Lait was already on bail, when he carried out the attacks, after stealing a car in Crayford and ramming a police car in his attempt to get away injuring a police officer in the process.

Detective Sergeant Karl Amos appealed for more of his victims to come forward. "Only a coward could commit attacks like this. I hope that, with time, Lait's victims will make a strong recovery and be able to put their terrible ordeal behind them."

l If you have suffered a similar attack call the Crimedesk on 020 8284 9142.

December 19, 2001 16:30