Cycle path victim makes TV appeal to catch hammer attacker

THE VICTIM of a brutal hammer attack will make an appeal today to catch the robber who assaulted her on a cycle path in Yorkshire before escaping with her purse.

Sheila Meskimmon will appear on BBC One’s

this morning to recount the assault she endured while in Cleckheaton, near Bradford, when she was struck on the head by the attacker.

The 76-year-old pensioner was attacked by the man wielding the hammer at about 2.30pm on Monday May 8, leaving her with a serious head wound before he stole her purse, which had £300 and her bank cards inside.

Detectives from West Yorkshire Police will also appear on the programme, which will be screened from 9.15am, to appeal for help in tracking down the offender.

The latest series of the

will be screened from today and will feature appeals for other investigations in Yorkshire and the Humber, as well as Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Durham.

The four-week roadshow is hosted by Rav Wilding and Michelle Ackerley and is broadcast every weekday until July 7.

A spokesman for the show said: “Last year, viewers’ calls helped police make more than 60 arrests, for crimes including rape, fraud, grievous bodily harm and burglary.

“This year the team are hoping for even more. Many high-profile crimes are set to feature on the programme as well as the sort of everyday crimes that can affect us all.”

The spokesman added: “Detectives hope that viewers will once again have that vital information that they need.”