OAP battered in house raid

Oct 29 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

AN ELDERLY woman was punched and held captive while thieves ransacked her home.

Nan McMurdo went to check out a noise at the back door of her house in Kelloholm on Saturday night when two masked youths burst in.

The frightened pensioner was then subjected to a sickening ordeal as the pair searched her McConnel Street home for cash.

The 82-year-old told the Standard: “I am still in shock about what happened.

“He was very vicious in my face, smashed the glass in the door and punched me. It is hard to forget it.

“They took £100 out of my purse but they held me and kept punching me and said that was not enough.

“One of them threatened to kill me but I knew that they weren’t going to do that.

“My son had given me a hose for outside and they had been hitting it off the back door trying to break the glass when I went to see what the noise was.”

The attack happened at around 7pm.

Police have launched an appeal for help to track down the raiders who eventually made off with around £150.

The first male was around five feet four inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a black woollen hat, a black scarf, black gloves and a light-coloured zip front waterproof jacket.

The second male was smaller in height with a slim build and a high-pitched voice. He was wearing a black woollen hat, a black scarf, black jacket and black gloves.

Both are thought to be teenagers.

Detective Constable Joyce Adams, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the female involved.

“We are appealing for witnesses to come forward as someone must know who is responsible for this.”

Detective Sergeant Mark Carruthers added: “This was a disgusting attack on a local elderly woman.

“It is sickening how little thought these two males gave to an elderly victim who was in the house by herself.

“Thankfully she only sustained slight injuries but we are extremely keen to find the individuals responsible. Given the descriptions of both, they may have been fairly young which is particularly saddening.”

Anyone who was in the Scott Street or McConnel Street area on Saturday evening is asked to contact police on 0845 600 5701 or any police officer.

Information can also be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.