A man who strangled a 78-year-old woman in her flat has been sentenced to life in prison.

Daniel Dunsford, 23, from Bethnal Green, was convicted of murdering Nora Glass at her home in Sivill House, Columbia Rd, also in Bethnal Green, between July 1 and 3 last year.

Appearing in the Old Bailey on Tuesday, he received a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 16 years.

Police were called to the pensioner's sixth-floor flat after her friend became alarmed when she did not answer her door.

Mrs Glass, a widower for 20 years, was particularly frail and did not go out often.

Officers broke into her home and found her lying on the living room floor, strangled to death.

Dunsford was linked to the scene by DNA found on the rim of a mug.

The court heard how he stole her wedding ring and other jewellery, along with cash, and pawned off the ring to buy alcohol.

Detective Chief Inspector John MacDonald said Norah Glass was a kind and friendly woman.

"She was part of a very large family and so the grief caused by her murder has been immense."

DCI Macdonald said he hoped the conviction would help them deal with their grief.

"In my view, Dunsford is a danger to the public and thanks to the witnesses in this case, that danger has been removed."