Police are searching for the attackers of an elderly Nottinghamshire couple who were beaten so badly that the photographs of their injuries were deemed “too graphic” to be published in colour.
Three masked men forced their way into a house in Auckland Road, Hucknall, at around 20.30 BST on 1 April, punched the 64-year-old occupant in the face and threw his wife, 63, to the ground before fleeing the scene empty handed.
The man was left with a suspected broken nose and cheekbone and a fractured hand.
The victim told police:
“What if it was your elderly parents or your grandparents? If you know who did this then please call police, so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Detective Inspector Rich Monk, who is leading the investigation into the brutal assault said:
“We hope this picture might play on someone’s conscience.
This couple were going about their normal routine at home on a Tuesday evening when their peace was shattered by intruders.
This man did what he could to protect his home and family, managing to throw a few punches himself. But one against three is no contest and he came off the worse for wear.
I would appeal again to anyone who knows anything about this violent, unprovoked attack to call us.
Did someone you know come home that night with bloodied clothes and cuts and bruises to their face? Are their injuries now healing but they are still reluctant to talk about how they got them?
Suffice to say the offenders in this case left their victim nursing more serious wounds, ones he will continue to be afflicted by in the weeks and months to come.
The psychological harm caused by such an intrusion may never go away.”
Police have asked for anyone with information to call crime stopper anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference 000853-01042014.
Police hunting the attackers of a Nottinghamshire couple have taken the decision to release black and white images of the man’s “horrific” injuries.
Det Insp Rich Monk said they were “just too graphic” for colour.
The 64-year-old man and his wife were beaten in their Hucknall home by three masked men who then left empty-handed.
His injuries include a broken nose and cheekbone, a fractured eye socket and fractured hand.
His 63-year-old wife was also hit and pushed against an oven with such force it smashed the door.
Police said the attack took place at about 20:30 GMT on 1 April.
‘Psychological harm’
Mr Monk said: “This man did what he could to protect his home and family, managing to throw a few punches himself.
“But one against three is no contest and he came off the worse for wear.
“The psychological harm caused by such an intrusion may never go away.”
He said the couple’s injuries would take some months to fully heal and the couple were now receiving counselling.
The husband, whose name is not being released, said they would be installing CCTV at their home.
“People like this go for those who they see as vulnerable,” he said.
“What concerns me most is that if they hit someone in their 80s like they hit me they could quite easily kill them.
“If you know who did this then please call police, so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Mr Monk appealed for anyone with information about who carried out the attack to come forward especially if they arrived home with bloodied clothing or cuts and bruises to their face.