An 82-year-old woman from County Durham was assaulted by a balaclava-clad gang in her own home, with her grandson describing her as a 'warrior' who put up an 'incredible' fight.
The incident took place at a bungalow on Coast View in Blackhall Colliery at around 1.25am on Sunday morning, just after the pensioner had gone to bed with her new book, according to her grandson, Kieran Townley. The 40-year-old, who lives 15 minutes away from his nana, spoke to ChronicleLive about the harrowing event.
Attack Details
Townley said: "She heard tapping on the window, and thought it may have been one of us, so she put the chain on and put her head through the gap. As soon as she did, she was smacked hard with the blunt side of an axe, but she acted quickly and jammed her foot into the door so that they couldn't get in."
He continued: "They were shouting 'give us the money', and she was doing everything she could to keep the door shut, while they were hitting the chain and the door with their axe. She wouldn't let them past, so they ripped all of the jewellery from her right arm, and she was screaming for help."
Aftermath and Family Response
Her next door neighbour heard the commotion and came outside, which chased the gang off. The woman was then taken to hospital. "Luckily nothing was fractured, but she had a concussion, and her face and arms are black and blue, she has been discharged and family are staying with her for a few days," Townley said.
He added: "It has definitely affected her, and the whole family, we have put new locks on the doors to help and give her some piece of mind. This isn't going to stop her form living independently, she is a warrior, and she put up such an incredible fight against them, because she was scared of how bad it would be if they got in."
Police Appeal
The police have been to the neighbours to ask questions and gather CCTV footage. Townley said: "We are just wanting to make people aware of how serious this is, and how shocking that they would to it to a vulnerable, elderly, disabled person. We are also asking people to see if they recognise the distinctive jewellery, and to tell the police if they do."
Durham Constabulary officers are appealing for witnesses to get in touch. Anyone with information or CCTV footage is asked to contact Det Sgt 2989 Ash Hagar on 101, quoting incident number 29 of October 4, or via email at Ashley.Hagar@durham.police.uk.
