'Burglars will not frighten me away' CRIME: Disabled woman defiant after being robbed twice in her own home.

Byline: Sophie Cross

A BRAVE disabled woman who has been robbed twice in her Solihull home in less than a year is determined not to let the ordeal affect her life.

The 58-year-old, who does not want to be named for her own safety, was targeted for the second time this year in her Chelmsley Wood bungalow on Bonfire Night.

A man barged in to her home and demanded her purse before he made a getaway.

The shaken victim, who uses a wheelchair, said she had been burgled numerous times in her old home but had hoped that moving to her current property would stop the problems.

"It first happened on New Year's Day at 2am," she said.

"I had just come back from a friend's house and (the burglar) followed me in, demanding money. I felt shocked that it was happening to me in my own home.

"He comes up behind and grabs me with his hand, putting it over my mouth. He asked for my purse. I couldn't see him but was aware he was covered up from head to foot."

Police suspect the robber who struck on Bonfire Night could be the same perpetrator.

The woman had been to a cash machine beforehand and believes he followed her home before he struck.

"I got home at about 7pm and went into the kitchen to make a sandwich," she said. "I was watching the news when he came in. I'm just glad he didn't try to hurt me physically."

West Midlands Police are fitting more lighting and CCTV in the area in an attempt to prevent any further attacks.

"I would just advise vulnerable people, like the elderly and those who live on their own, to be careful now Christmas is around the corner," said the victim.

"I'm more careful now. I don't get money out of the machine anymore - I'll go with someone or they will do it for me.

"I'm restricted to where I can go and I try to do the best I can. But I'm not going to let him drive me out. Why should I be too frightened to carry on living my life?"