War hero, 98, dies after home assault
A SECOND World War veteran who was severely beaten in a “brutal and senseless” attack in his home has died in hospital.
Peter Gouldstone, 98, was left lying in agony for around 20 hours last month after being dragged through his home by burglars who made off with a television worth only £25.
The widower, who was decorated for bravery during his service in Italy, was eventually found when a neighbour, who spotted that his garden fence in Enfield, north London, had been knocked down, alerted his 67-year-old son, Simon. Police last night announced that Mr Gouldstone died in the early hours of Friday. A post-mortem examination is to be held and Crimestoppers has offered a reward of £10,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
Det Insp Paul Ridley, of North Area CID, said: “We are all shocked and saddened by the news of Peter’s death. It is the worst news for his family and for all those who cared for and knew him.
“I urge anyone who has information, no matter how small a detail, to search their conscience and contact police without delay.”
Mr Gouldstone served in the Royal Corps of Signals during the war, achieving the rank of corporal, and was rec- ognised for “gallant and distinguished service”. He worked for the Post Office before the war, and had lived in the terraced house for more than 60 years with his wife Joan, who died in 2013. Speaking about his father’s attackers, his son Simon said: “I don’t know how they can live with themselves.” Mr Gouldstone, a retired civil servant who lives in Barnet, had earlier described how he found his father.
“I have keys to the front door and walked into the house and smelt a rat because the house was very cold,” he said. “The back door was open, so I shouted out, went upstairs and there he was on the floor of his bedroom. He was bruised and was groaning. He was semi-conscious but breathing. It’s absolutely appalling.”
Mr Ridley described the attack as “brutal and senseless”. Police have been examining CCTV footage from a house which overlooks the alleyway at the back of Mr Gouldstone’s property. As yet no arrests have been made. Lord Ashcroft, the former Conservative Party treasurer and founder of Crimestoppers, last month personally put up a reward of £10,000. Yesterday he tweeted that the veteran had died having never left hospital, and noted: “The reward is still open.”
A woman who survived a brutal attack by a convicted murderer has revealed that she “played dead” in an effort to trick her attacker.
Linda McDonald, 53, from Dundee, was attacked walking her dog in woods in the city. Robbie McIntosh, 32, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder on Friday, attacked her with a dumbbell while on home leave from prison in August last year.