Woman, 90, bashed in home

A 90-year-old Levin woman viciously attacked in her home at the weekend is suffering two brain bleeds.

Gisborne-based Sam Virtue told the her grandmother suffered a bleed on each side of her head during the assault on Saturday.

She was last night being closely monitored at Palmerston North Hospital, but if her injuries get worse she may be taken to Wellington Hospital, her granddaughter said.

Police yesterday arrested three young women over the attack.

Virtue said her father, the victim’s son, said the pensioner “looks atrocious” after the attack.

Her grandmother told her she “wasn’t feeling very well” when they spoke, and is resting a lot, she said.

The woman’s family did not want her to be named.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening at the woman’s Bath St prop

She nearly died . . . [but] it’s not going to make a difference, because they’re not going to get in trouble at all. Sam Virtue victim’s granddaughter

erty when she let two people enter her home to use the bathroom.

But while her back was turned the elderly woman was struck over the head with an object before more blows followed, Virtue said.

The beating included being kicked while she was on the floor, her granddaughter said.

The pensioner had to crawl to a phone to dial 111, she said.

“She nearly died.”

Police investigating the home invasion and assault today arrested two young women.

Police last night confirmed a third young woman had been arrested.

The trio had all been charged with aggravated robbery and would appear in Levin Youth Court today.

Further charges may be considered, police said.

The victim remained in a serious condition in hospital last night.

Virtue says she doesn’t think the assailants will get in trouble, because of their youth.

“To be honest, I feel . . . it’s not going to make a difference, because they’re not going to get in trouble at all.”

She said it was unfair the teenagers will likely get name suppression.

Police said they were pleased to make swift arrests “to provide reassurance to the victim, her family and the wider community, who are understandably shaken by this incident”.

“We are still asking anyone with information to come forward and speak with police.”