Darren Hewitson, aged 25, was locked up indefinitely in March for a string of robberies targeting elderly women, one as old at 92.

In one attack on March 10, he struck a 70-year-old woman with a hammer, breaking her collarbone, as she walked in Highland Avenue, Spinney Hill. The previous day, he attacked and robbed a 71-year-old on an isolated footpath near the Weston Favell Shopping Centre.

The homeless heroin addict was ordered to serve a minimum of four years' imprisonment, and could be on licence for the rest of his life, after being branded "a serious danger to the public".

The Chron carried a report on Hewitson's sentencing on March 31, which included two of his victims saying they felt sorry for him with a drug addiction.

However, the front page also carried his picture, which was spotted by a retired husband and wife, both aged 85, whose home Hewitson had invaded before robbing them of cash.

William Falshaw, prosecuting, said Hewitson's robbery victims were aged 71, 67, 87, 72, 82 and 92 respectively.

He added: "It's fair to say he has a propensity for attacking elderly people."

Judge Charles Wide QC said the couple, who have asked to remain anonymous, contacted police after recognising him as the person who robbed them.

Mr Falshaw said he knocked on the door of their warden-assisted home in Goldings on February 25 and asked to look for a ball.

He said: "He went into the garden but returned to the lounge and demanded £250 from the man, saying he believed he had earlier been to the post office to collect his pension."

Hewitson ran off but was arrested after the later attack in Spinney Hill.

He was brought to Northampton Crown Court from HMP Preston yesterday, after a previous court hearing last month was cancelled when he refused to get out of the prison van.

Admitting robbery, he also asked for another robbery of an 82-year-old and three more burglaries to be taken into consideration.

Judge Wide gave him a second indeterminate sentence for public protection after consulting with Judge Peter Morrell, who had sentenced him in March.

With a minimum term of three years and three months to be served concurrently, his release date may now be affected due to Hewitson serving two indeterminate and potential life sentences.

Jude Wide said: "He could have cleared his slate back in March but didn't."

Matthew Kirk, defending, said Hewitson was likely to be on licence and liable to recall to prison for the rest of his life, or at least 10 years after he is released.

He added: "He will only be released when the Home Office considers it safe to do so."