Fresh police appeal after attack on OAP

Mar 18 2008 by Lisa Jones, South Wales Echo

POLICE investigating a vicious attack on an elderly woman have issued a fresh appeal for information.

The 77-year-old was found crying for help and covered in blood, outside her home in Fields Park Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, on Friday, March 14 by Riverside councillor Gwenllian Lansdown.

The woman, who has been named locally as Nia Roberts, a former Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, is in a stable condition in the University Hospital of Wales, suffering from wounds to her head and hands.

Detectives say the victim opened her front door at around 8.50am and was immediately attacked by a man wearing a red jacket who had a scarf over his face.

Police are looking for a white man, possibly with short ginger hair, wearing a red anorak, who was seen in the area on the morning, to call them.

He is described as aged between 30 and 50 and 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall.

A 36-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident was released without charge.

Detective Inspector Noel Harris, leading the investigation said: “There have been a number of sightings by members of the public of a man seen hanging around the area leading up to the attack.

“I am keen to identify all persons fitting this description in the area of Fields Park Road, Cathedral Road and Sophia Gardens between 6am Friday and 9.30 am, to eliminate them from this inquiry.”

An incident room has been set up at Fairwater police station and house-to-house inquiries are being carried out.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Fairwater police station on 02920 571530, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.