An 82-year-old grandmother from County Durham fought off a balaclava-clad gang who struck her with an axe during a break-in at her home. The incident happened at a bungalow on Coast View in Blackhall Colliery at around 1.25am on September 4.
Grandson Kieran Townley said his nana had gone to bed with her new book before the attack. Townley, 40, who lives 15 minutes away, described how she heard tapping on the window and thought it may have been one of the family, so she put the chain on and put her head through the gap.
Attack and struggle
"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," Townley said. "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."
The gang ripped all of the jewellery from her right arm while she screamed for help. Her next door neighbour heard the commotion and came outside, which chased the intruders off, and she was taken to hospital.
Aftermath and appeal
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 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 from living independently, she is a warrior, and she put up such an incredible fight against them."
Police have been to neighbours to ask questions and get CCTV footage. Durham Constabulary officers are appealing for witnesses, with anyone who has information or CCTV footage 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.
