AVON woman Victoria Watts has been jailed for four years after a court heard how she beat a 90-year-old man in his home with his walking stick.

Watts smashed the wooden staff into the man's head between 15 and 20 times.

Envil Alford need 85 stitches to 14 wounds to his head and face, a broken finger and numerous bruises in the attack in July last year.

The man pleaded with Watts, 23, to call an ambulance but she ripped the telephone wire from the wall preventing him dialling 999.

But Mr Alford had a lifeline alarm and alerted the warden.

Chris Quinlan, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court Watts started an Avon round and would visit Mr Alford. Mr Quinlan said two weeks before the attack Watts visited Mr Alford and he discovered money had gone missing.

Mr Quinlan said she told police that he was to accuse her, wrongly, of taking his money.

He said the 90-year-old pushed Watts and she pushed him back and he swore at her and grabbed her. She grabbed his walking stick and beat him.

Watts admitted causing GBH with intent. She denied two charges of theft and they were left on file.

Sarah Regan, defending, said her client had shown a great deal of remorse for what she had done.