Three arrested over Loppington pensioner attack
Three men have been arrested after a 76-year-old man was attacked in his own home in north Shropshire and left with a suspected fractured eye socket. Three men have been arrested after a 76-year-old man was attacked in his own home in north Shropshire and left with a suspected fractured eye socket. The pensioner, who has not been named, was injured on Tuesday night during a raid at his home in Loppington, near Wem, in which police said he was forced to the floor and struck around the head and face by his attackers. The man was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with a head wound and the suspected damaged eye socket and his condition was today described as stable.
Three men have been arrested after a 76-year-old man was attacked in his own home in north Shropshire and left with a suspected fractured eye socket.
The pensioner, who has not been named, was injured on Tuesday night during a raid at his home in Loppington, near Wem, in which police said he was forced to the floor and struck around the head and face by his attackers.
The man was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with a head wound and the suspected damaged eye socket and his condition was today described as stable.
Villagers and civic leaders today spoke of their shock at the incident, describing it as "awful" and revealing the man knocked on the window of a nearby house following his ordeal to ask for help.
More than 30 detectives and uniformed officers have worked on the investigation into the incident in which the man's pickup vehicle was stolen.
Detective Inspector Mick Homden, the senior investigating officer, today said three men were arrested at an address in the Wem area at about 3.30pm yesterday.
They were taken into custody at Shrewsbury police station on suspicion of aggravated burglary and were due to be interviewed today.
Mr Homden said the investigation was continuing and renewed appeals for information.
He said: "This incident happened between 11pm and 11.45pm on Tuesday in Loppington.
"Intruders broke into the property and woke the occupant. He was forced to the floor and struck about the head and face.
"We are anxious to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Loppington area which might be connected.
"We are also seeking information about sightings and the current whereabouts of the victim's white Ford Ranger pickup which was stolen.
"I would urge anyone who can help to contact Shrewsbury CID on 0300 333 3000."
Information can also be given by calling the Crimestoppers number anonymously on 0800 555 111.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I think it's absolutely awful that they should attack an elderly man in his own home. Why did they have to assault him?"
By James Pugh
