Hall Green woman, 84, 'battered' in robbery at home

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Robbers stormed into the home of an 84-year-old woman and "battered" her in a "terrifying" raid.

Joan Garvey, from Hall Green in Birmingham, managed to crawl from her hallway into her living room, where she was later found by her carer.

Two purses were stolen in the raid, neither of which contained much money, West Midlands Police said.

Miss Garvey is recovering in hospital, where her head injuries are described as "not life-threatening".

'Battered, bruised and fretting'

Det Con Tom Lyons called the incident "heartbreaking" and said Miss Garvey had been left badly shaken by her ordeal.

"It was a terrifying raid which lasted just seconds," he said.

"The level of force used against Miss Garvey, who lives alone, was totally disproportionate.

"It's heart breaking to see the woman who has contributed so much over her lifetime left battered and bruised and fretting over the crime."

Police have conducted house to house inquiries and are appealing for information.