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Pakefield: Woman described attackers to police before death Pakefield: Woman described attackers to police before death
(about 3 hours later)
Joy Middleditch died on Monday from injuries she sustained when her home was broken into on Saturday Joy Middleditch died on Monday from injuries she sustained when her home was broken into over the weekend
An 82-year-old gave a description of the masked men who entered her home and stole her handbag before she died, triggering a murder investigation. An 82-year-old woman managed to give a description of the masked men who entered her home and stole her handbag before she died, police said.
Joy Middleditch was found by her family, injured but conscious, in her bungalow on Grayson Avenue, Pakefield, Suffolk, on Saturday afternoon.Joy Middleditch was found by her family, injured but conscious, in her bungalow on Grayson Avenue, Pakefield, Suffolk, on Saturday afternoon.
She told relatives and police officers that she had heard a noise at the door before two masked men forced their way in and knocked her to the ground. She told relatives and police officers that she had heard a noise at the door before two men forced their way in and knocked her to the ground.
She died in hospital on Monday morning.She died in hospital on Monday morning.
Acting Supt Sarsfield Donohue, of Suffolk Police, said the only description of the suspects was given by Ms Middleditch herself. Acting Supt Sarsfield Donohue, of Suffolk Police, said the only description of the suspects the force had received was given by Ms Middleditch herself.
It was believed the robbery happened at some point between Friday evening and Saturday morning, the force said. It was believed the robbery, which has turned into a murder inquiry, happened at some point between Friday evening and Saturday morning, the force said.
Officers were called to her home at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday after relatives found her lying on the floor.Officers were called to her home at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday after relatives found her lying on the floor.
Mr Donohue said she was found "conscious and breathing" but was in a "serious condition" and was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk. Mr Donohue said she was found "conscious and breathing", but was in a "serious condition" and was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk.
Flowers left outside 82-year-old Joy Middleditch's home Flowers were left outside 82-year-old Joy Middleditch's home
He said the handbag that was stolen was recovered "a short distance away in Nelson Road". He said the handbag that was stolen was recovered a short distance away on Nelson Road.
"Missing from that we definitely know was a purse," he said."Missing from that we definitely know was a purse," he said.
"The family seem to think it was a black and white chequered pattern purse, so that's what we're looking for at the moment. "The family seem to think it was a black and white chequered pattern purse, so that's what we're looking for at the moment."
"As for the finer detail about what was in the purse in terms of cash, etc. I don't have that detail." He said searches were continuing at Ms Middleditch's home and in the surrounding streets and a CCTV trawl was being carried out.
He said searches were continuing at Ms Middleditch's home and in the surrounding streets, including for "any discarded items, particularly looking for the purse". Rector Sharon Lord led a service at All Saints' and St Margaret's Church
"We're also doing a CCTV trawl of the immediate area and surrounding roads," said Mr Donohue.
Rector Sharon Lord led a service at All Saints' and St Margaret's Church and lit a candle in memory of Ms Middleditch
Mr Donohue described the incident as a "callous and cowardly attack on an elderly and vulnerable victim".Mr Donohue described the incident as a "callous and cowardly attack on an elderly and vulnerable victim".
He said police would do "everything in our power to catch and convict those responsible".He said police would do "everything in our power to catch and convict those responsible".
The force appealed for witnesses and any dash cam or door bell camera footage. The force appealed for witnesses and any dashcam or doorbell camera footage.
Police started a murder investigation after Ms Middleditch died on Monday from injuries sustained in the robbery Police started a murder investigation after Ms Middleditch died on Monday
Prayers were said and a candle was lit for her during a service at nearby All Saints' and St Margaret's Church. Prayers were said and a candle was lit for Ms Middleditch during a service at nearby All Saints' and St Margaret's Church.
Rector Sharon Lord said the community in south Lowestoft was in shock.Rector Sharon Lord said the community in south Lowestoft was in shock.
"I am completely devastated for the family of Joy Middleditch, there are no words," she said."I am completely devastated for the family of Joy Middleditch, there are no words," she said.
"Pakefield is a close-knit seaside village, it has a wonderful community atmosphere and because of that, many people retire here."Pakefield is a close-knit seaside village, it has a wonderful community atmosphere and because of that, many people retire here.
"It's normally a wonderful, safe place to live but this incident has really rocked our community.""It's normally a wonderful, safe place to live but this incident has really rocked our community."
Peter Forster, president of Age UK Norfolk, said such an incident would put the "fear of God" into older people
The president of Age UK Norfolk, Peter Forster, said: "Elderly people are particularly vulnerable because of the frailty, which comes to all of us as we become septuagenarians and in this particular tragic case, this woman lived by herself."
He said he thought such incidents were rare, but said: "Sometimes just one case can put the fear of God into people and I'm sure the people who live close to this woman, her neighbour and friends, are feeling particularly vulnerable and afraid."
For older people who were feeling worried, he urged them to seek help to improve their home security and said they could get advice from organisations such as Age UK.
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Related TopicsRelated Topics
Suffolk ConstabularySuffolk Constabulary
LowestoftLowestoft
PakefieldPakefield