Derbyshire woman dragged across floor in attack

A 62-year-old woman has described how she was dragged across the floor of her own home and threatened with a crowbar by three men in balaclavas.

June Shaw, from Shirley Common, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, said the men tied her up and stole jewellery from her, at about 20:00 BST on Saturday.

She said the men were "cowards" for intimidating a vulnerable woman who lived alone.

Police are investigating whether it is linked to another robbery nearby.

Mrs Shaw said: "One got hold of my legs and the other one got hold of my shoulders of my pyjama top, and dragged me face upwards into my kitchen.

"The one who seemed to be in charge had a crowbar and he said to me, 'you must tell me, is there anything else in this house?'"

Mrs Shaw, whose husband has recently died, was taken to hospital to be treated for her injuries.

She said: "I felt very fragile and vulnerable, being on my own, and very afraid as to how far they would go.

"They've picked somebody, a woman on her own, threatened me with a crowbar, it is an act of a coward."

In September, three men in balaclavas tied up and robbed a couple in their home in Ednaston, about two miles (3km) away from where Mrs Shaw was attacked.

Det Insp Shaun McElheron, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a very cowardly attack on a lone woman, and the aggression and violence used was just not necessary."