PLUCKY pensioner Jessie Thorpe was dragged to the ground by would-be muggers and spent nearly two months in hospital as a result - but today she vowed she will not give up.

Naomi Cassidy

PLUCKY pensioner Jessie Thorpe was dragged to the ground by would-be muggers and spent nearly two months in hospital as a result - but today she vowed she will not give up.

Today, the 83-year-old is at home and despite having to use a walking stick for the first time in her life due to the broken pelvis she suffered in the attack, she has vowed that she will eventually walk unaided.

Already she has ditched the two sticks that hospital staff said she would need to use and is getting by using just one.

And she has sent a huge thank you to all the people who have sent her cards and rallied to her aid following the sickening attack in November.

Following an appeal in The Evening Star, dozens of people sent their kind messages and cards to Mrs Thorpe, including one generous reader who donated a massive teddy bear to keep her company.

She added: “I want to thank all the people who were so kind to me and sent me all the cards and presents. You never realise how many friends you have until something like this happens.”

Mrs Thorpe from Ipswich was shoved to the ground by two men in Halifax Road as they attempted to take her handbag at about 5.30pm on November 24.

The fall meant she was forced to spend a month in Ipswich Hospital, including over the Christmas period, and another three weeks in the Felixstowe Community Hospital for further rehabilitation.

She is now finally at home and despite suffering some pain, she is happy to be back in familiar surroundings.

Mrs Thorpe said: “I keep thinking about what happened and I do get a bit frightened but people have told me to try not to.

“All the staff at the Ipswich and Felixstowe hospitals looked after me really well. If it wasn't for them, I don't think I would have got on so well.

“The staff told me that I would have to use two sticks but I said I was going to make myself use just the one.

“I was a bit down when it first happened but everyone willed me on to get better and I decided I should concentrate on what I had to do. I don't want to let these people beat me. I'm going to try to walk without a stick if I can.”

Two men were arrested in relation to the incident. An 18-year-old, who was 17 years old when he was arrested will face no further action. An 18-year-old has been bailed to return to Ipswich Police station on February 10.