THE compassion of an elderly mugging victim helped save her attacker from a jail term.

Despite suffering appalling injuries, which included a broken elbow and a collarbone, church organist Catherine Zollo expressed the hope he had not messed up his life.

“I hope he comes out of this a better person,” she said in an impact statement.

The 81-year-old was walking home after playing at a funeral in Fordingbridge when she saw two youths with their hoods up on a bridge.

Prosecutor Ian Harris said after she had crossed it and was nearing a junction with a footpath, she felt a tug on her handbag which caused her to fall.

Her 16-year-old assailant and the other teenager ran off, leaving the pensioner lying in agony.

She managed to get to the home of a friend who took her to the doctor before she was transferred to hospital in Salisbury where she remained for about seven weeks. There she was treated for injuries to the left side of her body including the broken bones as well as wounds to her shoulder – which needed skin grafting – and arm. She had also suffered tissue damage to her left knee.

Southampton Crown Court heard she still needed dressing to her arm three times a week and home help. “I find it difficult to come to terms with that because I was an independent person,” she said.

Judge Gary Burrell QC told the 16-year-old who admitted attempted robbery: “As a result of your cowardly attack, her remaining years will be marred. She is frightened to go out and all because you wanted money for a day out or a night out with your mates in Fordingbridge.”

The judge said the teenager however had suffered what defence barrister Jamie Porter describe as “a turbulent upbringing,” in which he had been put in care, had known half a dozen foster parents and being adopted by parents who perhaps were not properly equipped to deal with him.

Giving him an 18 month rehabilitation order that included an intensive fostering placement, the judge added: “If I send you away, and part of me feels I should, I am quite sure you will become another Home Office statistic in criminal numbers.”

He would be released with no family and friends and not much support and probably again involve himself in drugs.

“You can thank her and not me for placing you on this scheme,"

the judge said of Ms Zollo. “She is obviously a brave, decent and compassionate lady – I wish there were others like her.”