Robber allegedly attacked 94yo in Sydney

A 94-year-old woman who managed to defend her belongings from a "coward" thief in Sydney's inner west is fighting for life in hospital.

Xiangyu Kong allegedly tried to steal the elderly woman's handbag as she was walking along Norton Street in Ashfield on Sunday morning.

But when the woman didn't let go of the bag, the man pushed her, causing her to fall and hit her head on the pavement, police say.

"This is a particularly heinous crime committed on a vulnerable elderly member of our local community," acting Superintendent Brendan Searson told Network Ten.

"The male who really can only be described as a coward fled empty handed."

Kong, 28, was charged with aggravated assault with intent to rob with wounding.

He didn't apply for bail and it was formally refused at Burwood Local Court on Monday and he is scheduled to reappear at the same court on October 11.

The elderly woman is at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital suffering a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain.

"She's in a very serious condition and we hope she pulls through," acting Supt Searson said.