75 years for mugging centenarian

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A New York City man who mugged a 101-year-old woman on her way to church has been sentenced to 75 years in prison.

Queens resident Jack Rhodes was sentenced after being convicted of victimising three women, including Rose Morat, now 103.

Authorities argued the 47-year-old Rhodes targeted two of the women because of their age, a violation of the state Hate Crimes Act. The law provides for harsher sentences.

A surveillance camera recorded the 2007 assault on Morat. It showed her using a walker to leave her apartment building when she was set upon.

Morat suffered a fractured cheekbone and bruises. Her attacker got away with $US33 ($NZ46).

Defence attorney Paul Montgomery questioned eyewitness accounts at trial and suggested Rhodes was being framed.

- AP