Appeal Over Elderly Woman's 'Terrifying Ordeal' In Harehills Home
Police are appealing for information after a 78-year-old woman was attacked when four men broke into her home in Leeds.
At about 6.25pm yesterday (11/11) the offenders forced the front door of the property in Buller Grove, Harehills, and confronted the victim in the living room. They held a screwdriver to her throat and demanded money. One of the group then slapped her across the face a number of times while the others ransacked the house looking for money
She was repeatedly pushed back onto a chair when she tried to stand up and rings were pulled from her fingers.
The suspects left with the jewellery, a small amount of cash and a bank card.
They were described as white and aged in their late teens to early twenties. All were wearing dark clothing with hoods.
The stolen rings were a gold wedding band, a gold claddagh ring, which features two hands holding a heart, and a gold ring with a large brown stone.
Detective Inspector Steve Greenbank, of Leeds District CID, said: "These men put the victim through a terrifying ordeal which lasted about twenty minutes. She has been left understandably distressed at having been attacked in her own home in this way and we urgently need to identify the people responsible.
"We would like to hear from anyone who saw the suspects in the area or who has any information that could assist in tracing them. The rings that were taken are quite distinctive and we would like to hear from anyone who has been offered these items for sale."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Darren Young at Elland Road via 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111