Walking stick assault ordeal

Disabled man attacked in his own home

A DISABLED man was found slumped on his sofa with a broken leg and collapsed lung 15 hours after being assaulted with his own walking stick.

The drama unfolded when the 52-year-old answered a 3am knock at the door of his house on Whitehall Street, Rochdale.

Two men, whom he had seen before, asked to come inside and sat in the front room with him. They asked for cigarettes, drugs and money, but the man said he did not have any.

The pair became angry and, after a while, one of them kicked the victim in the face as he was sitting on the couch.

The thug then picked up the man’s walking stick and hit him with it on the head at least 10 times, then targeted his shoulder, ribs and shin.

During the assault one of the offenders also stamped on the man’s head.

The yobs then left with the walking stick, leaving the victim unable to move after the attack on Saturday.

A relative found him in the same position at 8pm.

He was taken to hospital for treatment for a broken leg, broken ribs and punctured lung, as well as cuts and swelling to his head. He remains in a stable condition.

Det Con Rich Shelton, of Rochdale CID, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a vulnerable man already suffering from a walking disability. The victim thought he might die as a result of the attack as he was left unable to move or call for help.

“We have investigated this attack relentlessly since it happened and are now calling on anyone with information to come to us as soon as possible.”

Both yobs are described as white, in their early 20s, about 5ft 7in tall with short hair and of stocky build.

The thug who attacked the man was wearing a red T-shirt and has a distinctive nose. His accomplice has a small nose and wore white T-shirt.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161-856 4557 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.