A WOMAN of 84 who was robbed of the keys to her flat has been presented with an invoice for £168.28 by her landlord First Choice Homes Oldham for changing the lock.

The victim was walking along a passageway at the rear of her home in Rock Street, Oldham on Wednesday, April 3 when a man, believed to be of Asian origin, pounced.

She was not physically injured, but was shaken by her ordeal.

Neighbour Gary Leese, aged 54, said the woman and other residents of the complex of flats were “shocked and appalled” that the pensioner has received a demand for the money, to be paid within 14 days.

“It beggars belief that an elderly and vulnerable woman should be treated in this way by her landlord,” he told The Oldham Times.

“Just what were they thinking of, sending the victim of a serious crime an invoice like that in such a cold way.”

Mr Leese said he was with the woman supporting her, when a police officer visited, and advised her not to pay the invoice.

“He pointed out that she had not lost her keys,” he said. “They were stolen, along with her handbag, her mobile phone and her cash.

“Someone at the top of First Choice Homes Oldham needs to take a long hard look at themselves after this.”

Retired newsagent Mr Leese, who acts as an unofficial community representative for some of his neighbours, has had his own battle with FCHO and was recently taking to court and threatened with prison after twice ringing a helpline.

Vinny Roche, chief executive at First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), said: “We would like to apologise to Mrs Ditchett, the circumstances were not considered as they should have been and an invoice for changing the locks was issued in error.

“We will be waiving the charge and we will also be working with all the FCHO teams involved to try and ensure this doesn’t happen again.”