An offender who targeted vulnerable elderly victims in Norwich admitted robbing a woman in her 90s close to a city medical practice.

Rassel Ahmed, 37, robbed the pensioner in Wessex Street, near the St Stephens Gate Medical Practice, just before 4.30pm, on January 30, and he also faces sentence for a string of thefts including stealing from an elderly man and woman as they waited at bus stops, on Magdalen Street.

Ahmed, of Rider Haggard Road, Norwich, who appeared at Norwich Crown Court, via video link from Norwich prison, admitted robbery and also possession of a knife in Wessex Street on the same date.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said that Ahmed had also been committed by magistrates to the crown court for sentence for one fraud charge and also four counts of theft, which included the two thefts from an elderly man and woman in Magdalen Street.

The first theft took place on January 10, when a man in his 80s had his wallet stolen as he was waiting for a bus on Magdalen Street about 5.30pm.

Ahmed approached the victim from behind and stole his wallet before making his getaway by running down an alleyway towards the rear of Cowgate.

He also stole a purse from an elderly woman standing at a bus stop opposite the TSB bank on January 16.

He approached the victim and stole her purse from her handbag. The purse contained cash as well as a picture of the victim's late husband.

Andrew Oliver, for Ahmed, said that he accepted he was facing a custodial sentence for his offending and said that a pre-sentence report had already been prepared for Ahmed.

Judge Anthony Bate remanded Ahmed into custody and he adjourned sentence until March 12, when Ahmed will be brought to the court rather than appear by video link.

After the purse and wallet thefts police released a CCTV image and made an appeal to the public for information.

The appeal helped lead to the arrest of Ahmed by officers.