A man has appeared in court accused of a string of robberies of women in the Crystal Palace area, including the violent robbery of a 75-year-old.

Mark Meachen, 42, of Anerley Park, Penge, is charged with four counts of robbery and four counts of possessing an offensive weapon relating to thefts from women over the past month.

He is accused of robbing a 45-year-old woman in Belvedere Road, Crystal Palace, on July 13, before robbing a 75-year-old woman in his own road, Anerley Park, on the same day.

He also appeared at Bromley Magistrates court on Monday accused of assault causing grievous bodily harm relating to the robbery of the 75-year-old and the robbery of another woman, 55, on 17 July.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on September 14 to enter a plea.