Loading...
Distraught daughter of beaten great-grandmother appeals for help to trace attacker
8 May 2012
THE daughter of a 94-year-old woman found badly beaten in the bed of her Moseley home last week has told of her heartbreak at seeing her bruised and bloodied mum in hospital.
Speaking at a media conference today Joyce Blencoe – who's mother Emma Winnall suffered a fractured skull and broken arm in the attack – said it was a "horrific nightmare" to see the extent of her injuries.
She said: "To see your own mum viciously beaten and covered in blood is the most horrific nightmare. It broke my heart to hear my frail and defenceless mum tell me how she screamed for help but no-one came.
"Please…if anyone knows what happened, if they have any suspicions that certain people may be involved, then please come forward. Don't let it happen to anyone else."
Since last week's police appeal for information, several names have been suggested by members of the public to detectives as potential suspects.
However, a motive for the attack remains unclear with detectives describing it as "senseless".
West Midlands Police Detective Chief Inspector Sab Johal, said: "We have made progress: two names put to us by members of the public are of particular interest and will form a central part of our inquiry.
"However, we still want to hear from anyone who may have seen someone acting suspiciously last Monday night or Tuesday morning near Mrs Winnall's home in Pensby Close.
"This was a shocking attack on a defenceless, elderly woman as she slept in her own bed. No-one capable of carrying out such a despicable attack deserves protecting – I'm asking people to look into their consciences and if they have any suspicions about who may be responsible to contact police."
Items of Mrs Winnall's clothing have been taken from her home and sent away for fast-track DNA analysis, whilst forensics experts are assessing the great-grandmother's injuries to try and determine what implement may have caused them.
Det Chief Insp Johal, added: "We don't believe anything was stolen during the attack but only Mrs Winnall will be able to tell us for definite and she is likely to remain in hospital for some time yet.
"We have in excess of 20 detectives working on the case and we are determined to catch whoever is responsible."
Emma Winnall remains very poorly in hospital.
Anyone with information is urged to contact West Midlands Police on the new 101 number or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
