A MAN who violently attacked an elderly woman with a hammer on the Spen Valley Greenway in Cleckheaton has been jailed for nearly 16 years.

Colin Winteringham left his 76-year-old victim with head injuries after he approached her from behind and struck her to the head before taking her purse on May 8 last year. 

Detectives at Kirklees CID conducted extensive enquiries to locate the suspect, including a Crimewatch appeal which led to several new lines of enquiry.

Winteringham, 56, of Well Grove, Huddersfield, was arrested in Dewsbury town centre on June 26 and was subsequently charged with eight offences.

The other offences included three robberies, with two involving additional charges of fraud, thefts from shops, and the possession of a bladed article.

Winteringham was sentenced to 15 years and 11 months in prison at Leeds Crown Court.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Fiona Gaffney, of Kirklees CID, said: "Both detectives who were working on this case have done an outstanding job. 

"Their perseverance and diligence throughout the interview process led them to charge him (Winteringham) for multiple crimes spanning a few months.

"This case developed into a serious and complex investigation, with a successful conclusion in that Winteringham has been sentenced for numerous offences, many of which targeted the elderly and vulnerable.”