An octogenarian who tricked his way into an elderly woman’s home before strangling and tying her up in an attempted robbery has been jailed.

Edwin Morrison, 81, was jailed for seven years at Manchester Crown Court after he persuaded the 95-year-old woman to let him into her house. Once inside, he tied her up, strangled her and demanded money.

The attack only stopped when the victim’s hairdresser entered her home as part of her usual appointment and demanded he get out.

Rob Lancaster of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Edwin Morrison tricked his way into the woman’s home and subjected her to a terrifying ordeal.

“He tied her up, strangled her and demanded money with no thought for the effect such an attack would have on her.

“Without the support of the victim and the woman who bravely intervened, the situation could have escalated and Morrison may not have been brought to justice.

“I hope the fact that Morrison has been prosecuted within three months of committing this appalling offence reassures the victim, and wider community, that the CPS takes these types of cases extremely seriously.

“The strength of the prosecution case, including forensic evidence and CCTV from the surrounding properties, meant Morrison had little option but to admit his guilt at the first hearing.”

Edwin Morrison rang the woman’s doorbell around 11am on 27 January 2026.

When she answered he told her he needed to speak with her about the new bin collection dates and asked if he could come inside.

Once Morrison had tricked his way inside, he grabbed the victim by the throat and demanded money.  He tied her hands together with a zip tie and continued to demand money and ask where her purse was.

He was only stopped when the woman’s hairdresser walked into the room. When she lifted her phone to take a photograph, Morrison fled, locking the two women in the house as he left.

The victim suffered bruising to her collarbone as a result of being strangled during the attack.

Morrison was traced from the car he was driving, seen on CCTV near the scene and his DNA was recovered from a swab of the woman’s neck.

He made no comment in his police interview but went on to plead guilty to attempted robbery at his first appearance before Manchester Crown Court on 6 March 2026.

Morrison’s sentencing took place at the same court on 15 April 2026, where the victim’s moving victim personal statement was read to the court.

The court heard that the victim feels like a prisoner in her own home and has suffered nightmares since the attack.