ELDERLY MAN FIGHTS OFF RAIDERS

HE POURED CREOSOTE OVER MASKED ATTACKER

MASKED raiders stormed the home of an elderly couple in lockdown but left emptyhanded after the husband poured creosote over one of the men.

The pair of intruders struck at the house in Clarendon Street, Earlsdon, forcing their way inside just before 4.15pm on Friday (March 27). They demanded car keys from the husband and wife.

One of the burglars, who was dressed in dark clothing, entered through the front of the property and screamed at the woman before shoving her against a wall and heading upstairs to search for the car keys.

Her husband, who was in the garden, was confronted by the second balaclava-clad man as he walked around to the front of the property after hearing the commotion. He was punched in the head, but reacted by pouring creosote, a strong smelling liquid used to paint and preserve fencing, all over the man.

The intruder left empty-handed covered in the distinctive black liquid along with his accomplice. Fortunately, neither the husband or wife were seriously injured but they were left distressed by the ordeal.

West Midlands Police wants to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour in the area or seen the men running down the road.

DC Kerrie Galloway from the Force CID team, said: “This attack happened during the afternoon when both elderly victims were adhering to the Covid-19 advice to self-isolate.

“People have enough to worry about at the moment without being subjected to crime, especially in their own homes when they are listening to government advice. I am appealing for anyone with information that could help us trace these attackers, to contact us as soon as possible.

“We are also conducting house-to-house enquiries and asking anyone in the local area to check their CCTV cameras in case there is any footage of the men passing.”

Anyone with information can contact police via Live Chat at westmidlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, quoting crime reference 20CV/77888H/20.

Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.