Man, 82, stabbed and tied up in cupboard in burglary

An 82-year-old man who was beaten and tied up before he was stuffed inside a cupboard, managed to escape and call for help.

It happened on Sunday evening at around 19:20 GMT, at a house in Royton, Oldham, Greater Manchester.

When the victim discovered an intruder hiding underneath his dining table, he was attacked, tied up with a cable, placed inside a cupboard on a chair, before he was stabbed and had his wallet stolen.

Despite his injuries, the victim managed to free himself, reach his phone, and call his daughter, who immediately phoned the police. He was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital, where he is still being treated.

The attacker demanded the pin number for the man's bank card, and officers think he used it later that night at an ATM on Oldham Road near to the junction of Old Edge Lane.

He was described as a black male wearing a covid-style face mask and gloves.

Police said the description is similar to one provided by elderly victims in a separate aggravated burglary in Royton, on Monday 10 February at around 23:45 GMT.

In that incident, a man described as a black male of large build, approximately 6ft tall, with big curly hair and dressed in all black with a yellow high‑visibility vest, was found standing next to the couple's bed as they slept.

Similarly, the intruder stole wallets, demanded PIN numbers, whilst holding two of the victims' kitchen knives. He also took their phones.

The couple reported that the intruder brought an unknown liquid with him, poured it into a glass, and attempted to force them to drink it.

"We are taking this extremely seriously," said Det Chief Insp Zahid Latif, from Greater Manchester Police.

"Our enquiries are well under way to locate and identify the man responsible for intimidating and committing these horrific crimes against vulnerable members of our community," he said.

He said: "Detectives will be relentless in their search for this offender, and we will use every resource available to bring him into custody.

"We are here to keep people safe, and that is exactly what we intend to do."

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