Family's shock over Pendle war veteran's beating (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Family's shock over Pendle war veteran's beating

4:33pm Wednesday 12th November 2008 in

By Jon Livesey » Reporter

Skip social links
Print
Email
Comments(6)

THE family of an 89-year-old war veteran who was repeatedly beaten by burglars have labelled his attackers ‘scum'.

John Schofield, son of Bob and Mollie Schofield, who are in hospital, following a brutal attack in their home, said they are currently ‘in shock’ and called the attackers ‘evil’.

Peter King, Mr Schofield’s nephew, discovered his ‘favourite auntie and uncle’ lying covered in blood on Monday morning.

Police said the elderly couple woke up when intruders broke into their house, in Chapel Hill, Salterforth, just hours after Remembrance Sunday.

Mr Schofield confronted the burglars to protect his 87-year-old bed-ridden wife, but was beaten repeatedly, causing serious facial injuries.

Mr King, 58, said he was ‘shocked’ to discover the ‘defenceless’ couple in the ‘ransacked’ house.

He added: “Whoever did it is scum, low-life and truly objectionable.

"It is sickening, utterly obscene, disgusting and nothing that is associated with humanity.

“I hope that when they catch whoever is responsible the punishment fits the crime - they should be locked up for a long time.”

Mr King said tests have revealed that Mr Schofield, a former boiler engineer, at Albert Hartley Ltd, in Barnoldswick, has no internal injuries.

And detectives confirmed the pair are showing ‘signs of improvement.’

Mr King, a father-of-two, said: “There are a lot of people in the village who are in their mid to late 80s and worried about the same thing happening to them.

"The police have said they will look at grants for extra security at their homes.

“Bob is a hard fellow, but he needs a castle to come home to, so he feels safe and that’s what we’re going to try to give him.”

John Schofield and his wife Dee, added: “We are all in a state of shock.

"Mum and Dad are lovely, caring people who wouldn’t hurt anyone.

"We can’t imagine why anyone would hurt either of them and we are constantly at their bedsides.

“We echo the police request for anyone with information to come forward and help us catch these evil people.”

Acting Det Insp Dave Groombridge, who is leading the investigating, added: “We are still appealing for anybody with any information to come forward.

"This is a deplorable offence and detectives will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to find those responsible.”

Anyone with any information should contact Pendle CID on 01282 472644 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Comments(6)

yamato says...
5:46pm Wed 12 Nov 08

The words scum and evil aptly describe the perpetrators of this dreadful crime. What sort of people are they? They are certainly not men and their behaviour is so vile that they can hardly be classed as members of the human race. Anybody sheilding these vile beings is equally guilty and should think long and hard. I am sure that even the criminal fraternity are sickened by this act. If there is still any 'honour among theives' they should assist the Police in every way to see that justice is done. These creatures obviously have no compunction about attacking the elderly and infirm, as a menace to public safety they need to be apprehended sooner rather than later. Please Lancashire Telegraph, ensure that this case continues to recieve maximum coverage.