Woman, 78, bound and gagged in raid

Nov 10 2007 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A GUNMAN is being hunted by police after threatening an elderly woman before tying her up with tape in her home and robbing her.

The man conned his way into the 78-year-old’s terraced house in the Osborne Road area of Jesmond, Newcastle, by asking her for a pen and piece of paper.

But when the pensioner went inside, he followed her before threatening her with what is believed to be a handgun.

He bound her hands and ankles with tape, gagged her and then began raiding her belongings.

He left with a small amount of cash and personal items before the pensioner managed to untie herself and raise the alarm.

The police helicopter was launched and sniffer dogs searched the area.

Last night concerned residents told of their shock at the attack, which happened around 2.30pm on Thursday, in the quiet residential area of the upmarket Newcastle suburb.

The Journal has decided not to print the name of the street name where the woman lives. She was last night too distressed to talk and was being looked after by family. Her daughter said her mother was badly shaken but otherwise uninjured.

Resident David Field, 66, said: “I’m appalled that someone could do this. I should think she was absolutely terrified. It’s just amazing nothing more serious happened.”

Medical student Vicky Hough, 20, added: “It’s awful and it doesn’t seem like the type of thing that would happen around here at all.”

Last night Jim Cousins, MP for Newcastle Central and himself a Jesmond resident, said the fact that elderly people live in the area is often overlooked because of all the resident students and young professionals.

He added: “It is extremely serious and older people in particular are very concerned about the threat of violent crime.

“We should recognise that Jesmond is an area where there are a lot of older people whose difficulties are often overlooked because people think that they live in an area that’s completely populated by students and young professionals.”

Alan Grant, general secretary of the Osborne Road Residents’ Association, said: “I think this is absolutely terrible that this could happen, especially to an elderly person, that one of the more vulnerable members of our community has been attacked like that.

“I’m 68 now and I would not let anyone into my house who knocked at the door. I would lock the door.”

Mother-of-two Christina De Giorgi, 41, who is forming a residents’ group close to the area of the burglary, said it was frightening that someone had a gun in a quiet residential street.

She added: “There are lots of families here and it’s petrifying that this has happened at the time of day when children will be coming home from school.

“To imagine that someone is walking around with a firearm is frightening enough but the fact that they went into someone’s home is horrific, it’s just petrifying as a parent to think that.”

Detective Constable Paul Armstrong, of Newcastle CID, said this was an isolated incident.

He added: “This was a despicable offence against an elderly lady in her own home.

“She was threatened with what appears to be a firearm, was tied up and gagged with tape while her property was stolen.

“We would appeal for information from members of the public and also members of the criminal fraternity who we are sure will be shocked by this.”

The robber is described as between 30 and 40 years old, around 5ft 8in with stubble, thin and gaunt, with a Tyneside accent.

He was wearing a brown sheepskin-like coat, jeans and had a dark shopping bag over his shoulder.

Anyone with information should contact Newcastle CID on 08456 043 043.