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Burglars attack 88-year-old woman | Burglars attack 88-year-old woman |
(31 minutes later) | |
Burglars have attacked an 88-year-old Devon woman, ransacking her home and leaving her lying on the floor with a broken hip. | |
She was pushed to the ground after confronting two men who broke into her house in Aylesbeare on Saturday night. | |
The victim was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where she is awaiting surgery. | |
Police said the "cowardly" attack happened hours after the woman had celebrated her birthday. | |
The alarm was raised after the victim managed to alert her next door neighbour by banging on the wall with her walking stick. | |
Crash helmet | Crash helmet |
The officer in charge of the investigation said it was a "horrible, cowardly crime" on a defenceless woman, which had left her alone and in great pain. | |
Det Insp Bill Pascoe said the woman had gone to bed between 2000 and 2100 BST to read a book and was disturbed by the burglars some time afterwards. | |
"Thieves searched her property, stole some of her belongings and then left her alone, not knowing if she would be able to get any help," he said. | |
"I would stress this type of crime is rare, but it cannot be accepted or tolerated." | |
Officers have not yet been able to question the victim, but it is believed one of the two burglars was wearing something on his head - possibly a motorcycle crash helmet. |