An 82-year-old grandmother fought off masked intruders who beat her with an axe during a break-in at her home in County Durham, leaving her with bruises across her face and arms.
The incident happened at a bungalow on Coast View in Blackhall Colliery at around 1.25am on September 4. The pensioner had gone to bed with a new book before the attack, according to her grandson Kieran Townley.
Grandmother's brave fight
Townley, 40, who lives 15 minutes away from his grandmother, said she heard tapping on the window and thought it might be a family member, so she put the chain on and opened the door a crack. As soon as she did, she was struck with the blunt side of an axe, but she jammed her foot into the door to stop the gang getting in.
"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," Townley said. "She wouldn't let them past, so they ripped all of the jewellery from her right arm, and she was screaming for help."
A neighbour heard the commotion and came outside, which chased the gang off. The grandmother was taken to hospital, where doctors found no fractures but diagnosed a concussion. She has since been discharged and family members are staying with her for a few days.
Family's appeal
Townley described his grandmother as a "warrior", saying the attack has affected her and the whole family. New locks have been fitted on the doors to help her feel safer, but he stressed the incident will not stop her from living independently.
Durham Constabulary officers have been speaking to neighbours and gathering CCTV footage. Townley is urging anyone who recognises the distinctive jewellery stolen from his grandmother to contact the police.
Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact Det Sgt 2989 Ash Hagar on 101, quoting incident number 29 of October 4, or email Ashley.Hagar@durham.police.uk.
