A CONVICTED robber who mugged a 72-year-old woman as she tended her granddaughter's grave is being hunted by police.

Craig Lister, aged 25, was jailed for five years in 2003, but was released after three on the condition he kept in touch with parole officers.

He has failed to keep to the conditions and is now a wanted man.

Police yesterday released a picture of Lister and appealed: "If you know this man, turn him in."

The robbery happened in September, 2002, as pensioner Jean Fitton was standing by her granddaughter's grave in Heaton Cemetery.

Lister grabbed her handbag from behind, causing her to fall. Her leg was cut so badly she needed stitches.

The bag contained £645 in cash and jewellery which was never recovered. Lister and a 13-year-old boy who was with him, spent the cash buying trainers in shops in Manchester.

The two had originally gone into the area armed with a screwdriver to break into cars, but then spotted Mrs Fitton.

The victim said the money was going to be used to buy a headstone for her granddaughter Marina, who died when she was 27.

Lister admitted one count of robbery at a hearing at Bolton Crown Court in February, 2003.

The 13-year-old boy was given an eight-month detention and training order after he admitted handling the contents of Mrs Fitton's stolen purse.

Sentencing them, Judge Derwin Hope had said: "This was a despicable act. The people of Bolton should be allowed to pay their respects to the dead without being the subject of criminal acts."

The court heard that Lister, formerly of Platt Hill Avenue, Deane, had a long criminal record, but had not committed any robberies or been involved in serious violence in the past.

He was released from prison on December 20 last year, but has failed to comply with the conditions of his release.

When he is caught, he will be sent back to prison.

Sgt Kevin Lister, of Bolton police, said: "This is part of an operation to apprehend and return to prison convicted offenders at large in the Bolton area.

"Lister will have to finish his sentence for the crime he has committed. I would urge him to hand himself into the police.

"If any member of the public has any information I would ask them to contact me on 0161 856 5535 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."