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Man, 98, fighting for life after robbery in north London home | Man, 98, fighting for life after robbery in north London home |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A 98-year-old man is fighting for his life after he was attacked and robbed in his home. | A 98-year-old man is fighting for his life after he was attacked and robbed in his home. |
Peter Gouldstone was found with bruising and a head injury at a house in Evesham Road, in the Bounds Green area of north London, on Tuesday. | Peter Gouldstone was found with bruising and a head injury at a house in Evesham Road, in the Bounds Green area of north London, on Tuesday. |
His son Simon said he "feared the worst" when he found his beaten father in a "semi-conscious state". | His son Simon said he "feared the worst" when he found his beaten father in a "semi-conscious state". |
The Met Police described it as a "brutal and senseless" attack. No arrests have been made. | The Met Police described it as a "brutal and senseless" attack. No arrests have been made. |
Simon Gouldstone said his father was house-bound and suffers from a heart condition. | Simon Gouldstone said his father was house-bound and suffers from a heart condition. |
He described him as "a low key, peaceful and supportive sort of person" who lived in "a fairly peaceful neighbourhood." | He described him as "a low key, peaceful and supportive sort of person" who lived in "a fairly peaceful neighbourhood." |
Emma Austen, who lives near Mr Gouldstone said the community is trying to do everything it can to help him and his family. | |
"A lot of us didn't know him, but we just really want to help in anyway we possibly can", she said. | |
"If that's via fundraising, helping his family, writing cards - we just want to help. It's a truly awful thing to have happened." | |
Pio Gomes, 78, another neighbour of Mr Gouldstone, said he rarely saw the pensioner outside his home since his wife died several years ago. | |
"I used to take his bins out for him because he wasn't steady," he said. | "I used to take his bins out for him because he wasn't steady," he said. |
"Of course it affects you because it's worrying. It's callous. Who could have done this to an old man like him?" | "Of course it affects you because it's worrying. It's callous. Who could have done this to an old man like him?" |
One elderly woman, who did not want to be named, said she rang Mr Gouldstone's son after noticing his garage door was open, which was "unusual". | One elderly woman, who did not want to be named, said she rang Mr Gouldstone's son after noticing his garage door was open, which was "unusual". |
She said: "His son came and then police and an ambulance were here until it was dark. | She said: "His son came and then police and an ambulance were here until it was dark. |
"I've known him for many years and he has a charming family. It's not nice." | "I've known him for many years and he has a charming family. It's not nice." |
During a search of Mr Gouldstone's home, police officers found a television and other personal belongings had been taken. | During a search of Mr Gouldstone's home, police officers found a television and other personal belongings had been taken. |
Det Insp Paul Ridley said his bedroom had been "ransacked". | Det Insp Paul Ridley said his bedroom had been "ransacked". |
"It was an absolutely horrendous attack on a vulnerable man who has medical conditions," he said. | "It was an absolutely horrendous attack on a vulnerable man who has medical conditions," he said. |
"The level of violence used was beyond belief." | "The level of violence used was beyond belief." |
Mr Gouldstone spoke to a family member by phone on 5 November at 14:00 GMT - police believe the attack took place in the 20-hour window between then and when he was found. | Mr Gouldstone spoke to a family member by phone on 5 November at 14:00 GMT - police believe the attack took place in the 20-hour window between then and when he was found. |
He remains in a life-threatening condition at an east London hospital. |