This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17572400
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Daughter of attempted murder victim Mary Coulter makes appeal | Daughter of attempted murder victim Mary Coulter makes appeal |
(40 minutes later) | |
The daughter of a 76-year-old woman who was assaulted by four men in her home near Wishaw has appealed for help in catching her mother's attackers. | The daughter of a 76-year-old woman who was assaulted by four men in her home near Wishaw has appealed for help in catching her mother's attackers. |
The attack on Mary Coulter is being treated as attempted murder. | The attack on Mary Coulter is being treated as attempted murder. |
The pensioner suffered serious head injuries, major cuts to her face and two broken arms when four men forced their way into her home nine days ago. | The pensioner suffered serious head injuries, major cuts to her face and two broken arms when four men forced their way into her home nine days ago. |
Her daughter, Helen, said her family could not understand why she was attacked. | Her daughter, Helen, said her family could not understand why she was attacked. |
Ms Coulter said: "She is a loving great-grandmother who is dearly loved by all her family. She lives for her family. | |
"She is well known and liked in the local community. | |
"Just over a week ago our 76-year-old mum was brutally attacked within her own home. | |
"Mum is a defenceless, elderly woman who has never hurt anyone. Now she is severely scarred for the rest of her life." | |
Ms Coulter added: "We can't understand why anyone would carry out this cowardly attack. | |
"If you know who is responsible for this horrific and senseless attack on mum, or if you have any information, please do the decent thing. This has devastated the family." | |
Strathclyde Police said the case had horrified both police and people living across the entire west of Scotland. | |
Det Insp John Lamb, the officer leading the investigation, said he was "almost speechless" at the level of violence she had been subjected to. | |
White van | |
He said: "It took quite a few days before we could actually get first-hand contact with Mary, but family liaison officers have now been well-bedded. | |
"They have seen her on two or three occasions and she has been responding very well. | |
"I think you could say, while she was very, very serious, she is now as well as can be expected and is improving daily." | |
The detective appealed for the occupants of a white van, parked in nearby Gourlay Drive at the time of the assault, to come forward. | |
Mrs Coulter's son and grandson had been among three men cleared of killing Asian waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar in 1998. | Mrs Coulter's son and grandson had been among three men cleared of killing Asian waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar in 1998. |
However, police believe Mrs Coulter was not the intended victim of the attack. | However, police believe Mrs Coulter was not the intended victim of the attack. |
The pensioner was attacked at about 05:20 on 22 March. | The pensioner was attacked at about 05:20 on 22 March. |
The four men smashed down the front door of her ground floor flat and assaulted her in the hallway with a knife and a bat. | The four men smashed down the front door of her ground floor flat and assaulted her in the hallway with a knife and a bat. |
After she ran into the street, they chased her and continued the attack. | After she ran into the street, they chased her and continued the attack. |
The men ran off after Mrs Coulter's neighbours were alerted to her screams. | The men ran off after Mrs Coulter's neighbours were alerted to her screams. |
The Crimestoppers Charity is offering a £5,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and prosecution of Mrs Coulter's attackers. | The Crimestoppers Charity is offering a £5,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and prosecution of Mrs Coulter's attackers. |
The suspects were all white men. They were either wearing hooded tops or had scarves over their faces. One was described as being particularly heavily built. | The suspects were all white men. They were either wearing hooded tops or had scarves over their faces. One was described as being particularly heavily built. |
Mr Chhokar's murder in 1998 sparked controversy after the failure of authorities to secure a conviction. | Mr Chhokar's murder in 1998 sparked controversy after the failure of authorities to secure a conviction. |
Three men, including Ronnie Coulter and his nephew Andrew Coulter, were cleared of the killing following separate trials. | Three men, including Ronnie Coulter and his nephew Andrew Coulter, were cleared of the killing following separate trials. |
Last month the Crown Office instructed Strathclyde Police to carry out a new investigation into Mr Chhokar's murder under double jeopardy legislation introduced last year. | Last month the Crown Office instructed Strathclyde Police to carry out a new investigation into Mr Chhokar's murder under double jeopardy legislation introduced last year. |
Previous version
1
Next version