Elderly man robbed on own doorstep at knifepoint

An investigation is underway after an elderly man was robbed by knifepoint on the doorstep of his own home in Netherton.

A man knocked on the 70-year-old’s door in St Peters Road on Wednesday night, pleading for cash to take his dog to the vets.

After failing to convince the victim, the man then pulled out a knife and pushed it under the man’s chin.

The victim suffered a two-inch cut − an injury that required hospital treatment − as he was shoved backwards into the hallway and threatened to hand over money.

The thief went on to steal a wallet containing £115 in notes and £8 in loose change from the kitchen.

The suspect has been described as white or Asian, aged between 30 and 35 years old and about 5ft 10ins tall of medium build.

Police say he has short black scruffy hair and was unshaven with a black scruffy beard. He spoke with a northern accent, possibly from the Newcastle area, and was wearing a dark blue quilted jacket and a black or navy trousers.