Pakefield: Woman described attackers to police before death

An 82-year-old woman managed to give a description of the masked men who entered her home and stole her handbag before she died, police said.

Joy Middleditch was found by her family, injured but conscious, in her bungalow on Grayson Avenue, Pakefield, Suffolk, on Saturday afternoon.

She told relatives and police officers that she had heard a noise at the door before two men forced their way in and knocked her to the ground.

She died in hospital on Monday morning.

Acting Supt Sarsfield Donohue, of Suffolk Police, said the only description of the suspects the force had received was given by Ms Middleditch herself.

It was believed the robbery, which has turned into a murder inquiry, happened at some point between Friday evening and Saturday morning, the force said.

Officers were called to her home at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday after relatives found her lying on the floor.

Mr Donohue said she was found "conscious and breathing", but was in a "serious condition" and was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk.

He said the handbag that was stolen was recovered a short distance away on Nelson Road.

"Missing from that we definitely know was a purse," he said.

"The family seem to think it was a black and white chequered pattern purse, so that's what we're looking for at the moment."

He said searches were continuing at Ms Middleditch's home and in the surrounding streets and a CCTV trawl was being carried out.

Mr Donohue described the incident as a "callous and cowardly attack on an elderly and vulnerable victim".

He said police would do "everything in our power to catch and convict those responsible".

The force appealed for witnesses and any dashcam or doorbell camera footage.

Prayers were said and a candle was lit for Ms Middleditch during a service at nearby All Saints' and St Margaret's Church.

Rector Sharon Lord said the community in south Lowestoft was in shock.

"I am completely devastated for the family of Joy Middleditch, there are no words," she said.

"Pakefield is a close-knit seaside village, it has a wonderful community atmosphere and because of that, many people retire here.

"It's normally a wonderful, safe place to live but this incident has really rocked our community."

The president of Age UK Norfolk, Peter Forster, said: "Elderly people are particularly vulnerable because of the frailty, which comes to all of us as we become septuagenarians and in this particular tragic case, this woman lived by herself."

He said he thought such incidents were rare, but said: "Sometimes just one case can put the fear of God into people and I'm sure the people who live close to this woman, her neighbour and friends, are feeling particularly vulnerable and afraid."

For older people who were feeling worried, he urged them to seek help to improve their home security and said they could get advice from organisations such as Age UK.

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