Muggers beat pensioner, 79, so badly she was too scared to tell anyone what happened for five days

• Elderly victim, 79, attacked as she walked home from Tesco in Manchester

• Beaten so badly by muggers that she was too scared to leave her home

• Five days later, daughter visited her and was shocked by horrific bruises

• She posted photo of pensioner's injuries on Facebook in appeal for help

• Police have also issued shocking picture in bid to catch the four muggers

This elderly woman was so badly beaten up by a gang of muggers that she was too scared to tell anyone about her ordeal for five days.

The unnamed victim, 79, was attacked as she walked home from a shopping trip to Tesco in Haughton Green, Manchester. 

She was cornered by four thugs, before being knocked to the ground and repeatedly punched in the face.

Despite suffering horrific injuries in the assault, the pensioner managed to stagger back to her home in the small village near Hyde. 

However, she was so traumatised by the attack that she refused to leave her house - fearing the muggers might be waiting for her outside to give her a second beating.

Police only found out about her ordeal five days later when the pensioner was visited by her daughter, who was shocked by the bruising on her mother's face. 

She posted a picture of the pensioner’s injuries on Facebook in an appeal for help - resulting in the image being spotted by police. 

Now, Greater Manchester Police have also issued the same photo in a bid to catch the muggers.  

Today, Detective Inspector Richard Ennis said: 'This poor victim was so distraught by what happened that she essentially shut herself away from the world, fearing that these horrible muggers would find her.

 Victim: This elderly woman was so badly beaten up by a gang of muggers that she was too scared to tell anyone what had happened for five days

Thankfully her daughter paid her a visit and was at least able to offer some solace of comfort. 

'I understand why she didn’t want to tell anyone about what happened and she must have felt extremely vulnerable. I would, however, always encourage anyone who has been a victim of crime to call the police. 

Scene: The unnamed victim, 79, was attacked as she walked home from a shopping trip to Tesco in Haughton Green (pictured), Manchester. She was cornered by the thugs, before being repeatedly punched in the face

 

'We have ways of protecting your identity and can provide professional support to victims and witnesses.'

The pensioner's ordeal began at the start of the new year as she was walking home from the supermarket in Mancunian Road.

She was approached by the four men and asked for a cigarette - to which she replied she didn't have any.

The gang then asked her for money and started rifling through her pockets, before punching her a 'number of times' in the head.

They continued to rain punches on the elderly woman as she lay on the ground, before running off empty-handed on to playing fields at the end of the road.

 Discovery: Police only found out about her ordeal five days later when the pensioner was visited by her daughter, who was shocked by her severe bruising. Above, Mancunian Road, where the attack took place

 

The victim, who suffered extensive bruising in the attack, locked herself in her home for five days until her daughter paid her a visit. 

Det Insp Ennis said: 'These young men ruthlessly beat a lone elderly woman. Two of them appear to be quite young, but they were clearly led by two older men. 

'I want to appeal direct to both the offenders and their families - please look at the picture and imagine it’s your own grandma or mum. You wouldn’t want your loved ones to end up like this.'

The pensioner told police she believed the mugging occurred at around 11am in the first few days of 2014, but cannot narrow it down any further due to the time that has elapsed. 

'This poor victim was so distraught by what happened that she essentially shut herself away from the world'

Det Insp Richard Ennis

However, the ringleader of the gang has been described as mixed race, 5ft 11in tall in his mid 20s with short black cropped hair and a slim build.

He was wearing reddish gloves similar to rubber kitchen gloves, mud-splattered jeans and a coat. 

Meanwhile, a second mugger has been described as white, pale and 'thuggish-looking'.

He was shorter, appeared to be in his late teens with a more muscular build and was also wearing green rubber gloves.

The other two offenders are also believed to be white, in their early teens and similar-looking in the face.

reference: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2538739/Muggers-beat-pensioner-79-badly-scared-tell-happened-five-days.html