16 men arrested over burglary and attack of Pendle war veteran (From Lancashire Telegraph)

16 men arrested over burglary and attack of Pendle war veteran

11:06am Friday 14th November 2008 in Salterforth By Jon Livesey, Reporter

SIXTEEN men have been arrested in connection with the brutal assault and burglary of an 89-year-old war veteran.

Police investigating the incident at the home of Bob and Mollie Schofield, in Chapel Hill, Salterforth, in the early hours of Monday morning, said they made the arrests in the Blackpool area earlier today.

The 16 men, aged between 17 and 55 years old, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and will be interviewed at police stations in Burnley and Blackburn during the course of the day, officers said.

But detectives are still appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Mr Schofield, and his wife Mollie, 87, were asleep in bed when intruders entered their home.

The war veteran, who served in the Royal Navy and fought during World War Two, crewing escort ships on the North Atlantic convoy missions from Scarpa Flow to Murmansk, confronted the intruders and was beaten repeatedly, causing severe facial injuries.

Mrs Schofield was not physically injured, but was left in a state of shock and is currently being cared for at a nearby care home.

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