UK & World News
- 5 May 2012, 9:31
Grandmother, 94, Beaten At Home As She Slept
A 94-year-old grandmother is seriously ill in hospital with a fractured skull and partially severed finger after being beaten in her own bed as she slept.
Police said Emma Winnall also suffered a broken arm and wrist in the "vicious" and "sickening" assault at her West Midlands home.
Her carer raised the alarm at 9am on Tuesday but detectives said the attack, which left her with potentially life-threatening injuries, could have occurred at any time from 9pm on Monday night.
Mrs Winnall, of Pensby Close, Moseley, in Birmingham, was taken to hospital and remains under sedation after emergency surgery, which involved inserting metal plates into her arm.
Detectives have been unable to determine a motive for the attack. Nothing was stolen from the property and the interior was largely undisturbed.
A photograph of Mrs Winnall in hospital has been released at the request of her daughter as part of a police appeal for information.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarb Johal, of West Midlands Police, said police believe "an implement of some sort" was used in the attack.
Officers said Mrs Winnall is showing signs of improvement in hospital.
DCI Johal continued: "This is a truly sickening attack on a defenceless, frail lady as she slept in her own home.
"Mrs Winnall had nothing of note to steal. It was a senseless assault and I'd urge anyone with suspicions about who may be responsible to get in touch straight away.
"The attacker may well have mentioned something to a friend or relative, or perhaps someone remembers a person acting oddly that evening or the following morning."
Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police on the 101 number or the independent charity Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.
what do you think?
HARLEY1974
Absolutely sickened by this.Hope that poor lady recovers well.
Name witheld
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Michele Oldroyd
My thoughts exactly Peter
betty1403
This is the most sickening thing l have read, l hope the culprit/s are caught and given the sentence required for this despicable crime! Will keep the dear lady and her family in my thoughts!
Brian E Gorton
Great Britain at its best. How low can some of the despicable people in this country get. Hope the poor lady gets better. If they are from this country, let twenty seniors have them!!!.If an import make them swim home. The word I did use has been blocked by Oranage who would not post my comment until I removed it.
Wilfred Lavagna
Absolutely sickening, what is the UK becoming. No doubt the cowards will receive a slap on the wrist. Long sentences need to be given in cases like this, there is no deterent these days, the lowlifes just laugh at the so called law.
steve wilson
What kind of sick thug would do that. We ain't even safe in our own beds anymore. I hope this mindless thug gets caught soon. Bring back hanging so that idiots like this ain't being looked after by us taxpayers in prison. I hope this lady gets better soon. ( I had to change a few words but you know what I mean)
Roger Siviter
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Jim Cassidy
How many times have we heard that dinosaur of a justice secretary, Ken Ckarke, ranting on about how locking up burglars and muggers doesn't work, that sentences should be shorter, that community sentences are the way forward etc etc etc! all this just to stay in Camerons good books and save the treasury money. Well the guy who has just been arrested for murdering 2 old people down Darlington way was OUT ON BAIL on charges of sexual and physical assault, and not long out of a long sentence, (served about half of it), for seious attacks. Now this poor old lady has suffered so badly, and Clarke will still waffle on about offenders rights. Of course, he's safe enough, behind his security gates and police guard.
sue sue
Words fail me....... Get well soon Emma, I hope the low lives responsible get what they truely deserve x
Roger Siviter
I doubt it, they've abolished both the birch and hanging!
Christine Lufflum
when they catch who ever did this they should be treated the same way and then they will perhaps thinkl twice in future before setting about other people who are frail and helpless. it will also deter others from doing these crimes if they know they will get the same treatment themselves when caught..
Diana Newson
Bring back the birch! Let them have a taste of what it feels like to be beaten.
Gary W Beard
Black cap time
wes
To the thoughtless person whom did this I hope you sleep well because one day when you least expect it god will repay you, the old saying what goes around comes around couldn't come quicker... I hope this poor defenceless lady has a speady recovery ..and now we should bring back hanging
Mikel roi
All recent governments have ignored a trend toward taking advantage of elderly people and/or beating them up. Too often as Jim (@ 2.19 on 4/5/12) has pointed out, the suspects are out already on bail for other serious offences. This clearly demonstrates how ineffectual the judicial and bail management procedures are. If we are to successfully punish and rehabilitate offenders we need to thoroughly overhaul the present system of justice. It bends over backwards to recognise the rights and entitlements of offenders but is less considerate toward those same issues in the case of victims and potential victims. One of the duties of the politicians that we employ is to care for and protect our most vulnerable members in our country. Clearly with the repeated reports of savage attacks on elderly and disabled people our politicians are failing in their duty. I hope that this elderly lady recovers but I fear that her last moments on Earth have been irrepairably spoiled. Disgusting!
Juls Adams
i agree they do here here
kevin
hope the lady recovers ok, cannot say more as i will be deleted
Joan Burgess
The poor old lady. What sort of a low life could do this awful thing. I won't call him/she/them animals because even animals don't treat their own kind like this. Get well soon Emma.
Windows Live User
Cameron and his government should be listening to the public of the UK instead of poncing about elections We need evil people like these taken out of circulation and perhaps birched to cure them. There are to many of these occurences. Look at the mails below. Are you listening?
Jeem Bob
Seriously did we really need her address? Shouldn't be too hard to find her house now with that information. Well done!
Sarah Lewis
12:42pm on 4/5/2012
The people who did this need shooting!! awful :(