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Great-grandad beaten for ??80

31/10/2002

A GREAT grandad of six suffered an horrific attack from a brutal young thug who attacked him at home.

During his appalling ordeal, 83-year-old Frank Gates said he choked for air as the callous teenage thief dragged him by his neck into the bedroom.

The frail Little Hulton pensioner was thrown onto the bed, punched in the stomach, pinned down and as he writhed in agony the heartless attacker rifled through his pockets for cash.

The raider made off with about £80 of widower Frank's pension but the brave octogenarian says he does not care about the cash. However, the experience was one he insists he will never forget and which he hopes will not be repeated.

Frank has lived alone at his modest bungalow since his wife Lilly died just 12 months ago. It was there on Tuesday afternoon that Frank was suddenly confronted by the youth.

Frank said: "He was just stood there in the hall - I couldn't believe it. I was absolutely frozen stiff with fear. The next thing I remember he had grabbed me round the neck and was dragging me to the back bedroom. It felt terrible, I couldn't breath.

"All I could think about were the people you see on the news who have been bashed in and I thought 'now it's my turn'."

Frank says he was able to cover his face as the thug punched him repeatedly in the stomach after throwing him on the bed. He said: "He held me down and almost smothered me while he went through my pockets. He took £80."

When the thug had gone Frank called for the estate's wardens who telephoned the police.

Frank says he now lives in constant fear of another attack and is scared to walk the streets. He said: "I think this person is the lowest of the low. All they are doing is pinching money so they can buy drugs. I don't think there's one house round here that hasn't been robbed like that."

Added Frank: "It comes to something doesn't it when you're a prisoner in your own home. These days you can't go out, you can't even leave a window open."

Police believe Frank's attacker broke in through a rear bedroom window. He is described as being white aged 17, slim, about 6ft tall and had short dark hair. He was wearing a grey fleece, dark grey trousers and white trainers and spoke with a local accent.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call police on 856 5240 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.