A serial burglar, who stabbed a pensioner with a chisel in her own home, has been jailed for 20 years.
Thomas Lee, of The Chase, Dagenham forced his way into an 86-year-old woman’s house in September last year, after claiming to be from the water board.
The 41-year-old assaulted the woman, threw her to the floor and stabbed her with a chisel when she refused to hand-over cash.
Lee fled the scene after the failed robbery but left the chisel behind.
DNA found on the weapon connected him to numerous other burglaries were elderly victims had been targeted.
Lee was found guilty of aggravated burglary and handling stolen goods on August 2.
He admitted one count of robbery at an earlier hearing.
Lee was today jailed for 20 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Detective Constable Jonathan Alexander said: "Lee is a very dangerous individual, his disgusting attack on an 86-year-old woman had a huge impact not only on the victim, but on the local community in Barking and Dagenham.
"The length of his sentence reflects the evil act that he carried out on the afternoon of September 11 2015.
“His criminal past shows that he is quite clearly a danger to our community, especially the vulnerable and elderly, and as a result of this lengthy sentence, the community can feel safer today."
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