A DISABLED pensioner from Wood Green bravely chased off a burglar with a pot of boiling stew she was cooking on the stove.

Mrs Doris Nicholls, of Williams Grove, fears for her life after being subjected to 12 shocking muggings and assaults in the last nine years.

In the latest incident, she discovered a man looting her bedroom after she returned home from walking her dog on Sunday afternoon. The intruder pushed the 77-year-old into the kitchen, viciously grabbed hold of her throat, and shouted at her to keep quiet.

Doris, who suffers from arthritis of the spine, said: "I was absolutely terrified and shaking like a leaf, but I managed to say to him 'What were you doing in my bedroom?' I had a pot of boiling stew on the stove that I was making for lunch and I grabbed hold of it and threatened him with it."

The man ran out through the front door threatening her not to call the police. He took £50 of Doris' pension money, which was due to last her for another week, an eternity ring, a wedding ring and a small music box containing more jewellery.

Now Doris is pleading with Haringey Council to remove the tradesmen's buzzer on the intercom system to her flats which she believes the man used to enter. She said the police recommended the buzzer be removed immediately.

Doris set out to walk her dog at 11.20am on Sunday , returning to her flat at 12.20pm. She went through the front door of the lobby and opened the door to her flat, without noticing anyone hanging around.

She said she went through to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and it was only on her way back that she noticed her bedroom door was shut. When she opened it she discovered the intruder raiding her jewellery box.

She said: "I am like a prisoner in my own home too scared to go out. I think he may have hidden in the cupboard under the stairs in the lobby and waited for me to come back. He could have killed me if he had a knife."

It is not the first time Doris has suffered such a terrifying ordeal. Just four weeks ago, somebody crawled through a window and stole her purse from her bedroom. Last December, two thugs knocked her to the ground as she returned home, causing injuries which required hospital treatment.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the latest incident. The man is described as black, 6ft tall, dressed in a black jacket, dark jeans and black gloves. He wore white trainers and a white baseball cap. Anyone with information call the crimedesk on 8345 0763.

May 29, 2003 11:30