'He left me for dead'

Thelma Isherwood, 78, was pushed down 12 stairs and knocked unconscious when she tried to stop the robber searching her bedroom.

And as she recovered from the vicious attack, the shocked pensioner said: "He must have thought I was lying there dead and just stepped over me to get out."

A man called at her Highfield Road home at around 12.30pm on Thursday, claimed he was going to put a security gate at the back of the row of houses and asked her to come and see the site.

When he left and she went back inside, her partially-paralysed husband Tom said he thought he had heard someone else upstairs.

Mrs Isherwood said: "I went and listened at the bottom of the stairs. I went up quietly and opened the bedroom door. He was standing looking at a little box.

"He turned round and saw me and rushed to the door. I tried to stop him which was impossible and he just pushed me with both hands deliberately. I went head-over-heels.

"That's the last thing I can remember. "

When Mrs Isherwood regained consciousness she shouted to her husband to ring their son Logan. He quickly arrived with his wife Connie and called an ambulance. "I can just remember saying to Connie 'don't forget I've got a cake in the oven.' She brought me a piece in hospital and it was good. At least that turned out alright!"

Mrs Isherwood, who previously underwent a hip replacement operation, is still unable to walk and her arms, legs and shoulders are severely bruised. She is still in Clitheroe Community Hospital having physiotherapy.

DC Brian Higginson, of Great Harwood police, said: "You only have to look at her injuries to see what a vicious attack it was. We are appealing for witnesses to help us catch these thieves."

The first man, who claimed to be a workman, was white, around 5ft 4ins, thick set with broad shoulders, a ruddy complexion and a grey beard. He was wearing a black woollen hat, navy jeans and a blue anorak with a white motif. He got into a dark green car with a canvas back, possibly a Land Rover or pick-up type vehicle.

The attacker was white, aged 35 to 45, and clean-shaven with a baby face. He had very blond hair which was cut short, parted off-centre and brushed left to right.

He was tidy-looking, approximately 5ft 9ins, slim with broad shoulders and was wearing a grey anorak over a white shirt and tie and dark trousers.

Anyone with information can contact Clitheroe police on 01200 443344.

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