Woman’s horror hammer attack

A YOUNG woman who feared she was going to be killed when she was robbed by a hammer-wielding maniac in Moorside has gone public to try to get him caught.

Toni Charlesworth, who had a ring of great sentimental value stolen, wants the mugger apprehended before he commits an even worse attack.

The 23-year-old had just got off a bus on her way home from work when the balaclava-clad thug jumped out of bushes in an alleyway by Crowley Lane at 8.20pm on Monday, November 15.

Brandishing a hammer, he ordered her to put her phone and bags on the floor and demanded to know what jewellery she had and what was in her pockets.

The attack was first reported in the Chronicle on Friday, November 19, and now Toni has revealed more details of the attack.

She said: “He came towards me with the hammer and was about a foot away and said turn around and face the fence. I carried on looking at him as I thought he was going to kill me at that point.

“He was swearing and shouting and was swinging the hammer near my face, I could feel the air from the hammer.”

Brave Toni stood her ground and refused to turn around.

The dance teacher and performer added: “I thought if I turn round he will whack me and that would be it.

“In my job I’m used to dealing with aggressive people. I knew I had to stay calm. There’s no messing with someone who has a lethal weapon and he looked like he would use it.

“He was really forceful and aggressive and the language he was using was terrifying.”

The thief grabbed her handbag — containing a ring left to her by her grandmother who died eight years ago as well as her purse, phone, iPod, keys, dance costume and dance session plans — and fled.

Her mobile was used to call a taxi near the scene. Toni ran home to call the police when the shock hit her.

It has also brought back repercussions from when she was attacked in the street while a university student in Newcastle in 2007.

She said: “When it gets dark I have panic attacks and I don’t like walking home on my own. I’m normally an independent person and I work all over the country.

“My handbag had everything in there but none of it will be of value to him. My nana’s ring is not of great value to anyone but me. It could have been a lot worse. I want him found before it happens to someone else.”

The raider is described as white, aged 16 to 17-years-old, 5ft 5ins tall, of skinny build and wearing a dark coloured baseball cap, black jacket and a light coloured hooded top with a white pattern on the front. He had a strange walk.

Anyone with information should call 0161-856 9080 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.