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'Cowardly attack': Elderly woman assaulted at Melbourne shopping centre

A 93-year-old woman will spend Christmas in hospital after she was pushed to the ground in what’s been described as a “cowardly attack” at a Melbourne shopping centre.

Great-great grandmother Todd Folwell broke her hip and wrist in the unprovoked assault, which happened at the Southland Shopping Centre carpark last Friday morning.

Ms Folwell’s son Neale said the woman responsible should be jailed for the senseless attack, after reports the attacker had already targeted an elderly man.

Elderly victim Todd Folwell. Source: 7 News
Elderly victim Todd Folwell. Source: 7 News

“(Mum’s) still very shaken I think,” he said. “She hasn’t quite accepted that everything is ok now.”

Mr Folwell said the attacker had been angrily yelling about old people moments before she lashed out.

“She just barged between us and pushed my mother over, the result of which she now has a broken wrist and a broken hip,” he said.

The 93-year-old underwent surgery to have pins and plates inserted into her broken hip, while her wrist is now in plaster.

Police are hoping someone can identify this woman. Source: 7 News
Police are hoping someone can identify this woman. Source: 7 News

“(It’s an) unprovoked attack, there’s just nothing she’s done to upset anyone,” a police spokesperson said.

“She was just minding her own business.

“It was just a cowardly attack.”

Police have released an image of the woman they believe can help with enquiries.

Neale Folwell says his mother's attacker should be in jail. Source: 7 News
Neale Folwell says his mother's attacker should be in jail. Source: 7 News

Mr Folwell said he hopes someone recognises the woman before Christmas.

“I hope this woman is proud of herself, and I’d like her to spend this Christmas in jail,” he said.

“That would be a fair trade off.”

Anyone with information on the attack should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.