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Attacked doctor lay undiscovered | Attacked doctor lay undiscovered |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A 92-year-old former family doctor lay injured for nine hours at his County Durham home after he was attacked by three intruders, police have revealed. | |
Dr William Benson had been punched repeatedly in the face. | Dr William Benson had been punched repeatedly in the face. |
The housebound pensioner was found at his house on the outskirts of Stanley by carers following the attack early on Friday. The house had been ransacked. | |
Police have described it as a cowardly attack and are appealing for public help in catching the offenders. | Police have described it as a cowardly attack and are appealing for public help in catching the offenders. |
Dr Benson, who had limited mobility having lost part of a leg in the 1980s, suffered facial injuries and was treated in hospital. | Dr Benson, who had limited mobility having lost part of a leg in the 1980s, suffered facial injuries and was treated in hospital. |
He is now being cared for in a nursing home. | He is now being cared for in a nursing home. |
Det Ch Insp Paul Goundry, leading the investigation, said: "This was a cowardly attack by thieves who used unnecessary and excessive violence in their search for money. | Det Ch Insp Paul Goundry, leading the investigation, said: "This was a cowardly attack by thieves who used unnecessary and excessive violence in their search for money. |
"At the moment it is not clear what was taken, and we hope to carry out a detailed interview with the victim in due course. | "At the moment it is not clear what was taken, and we hope to carry out a detailed interview with the victim in due course. |
"Dr Benson and his father before him served the town of Stanley for something like 100 years between them, and we hope local people will heed our appeal for help." | "Dr Benson and his father before him served the town of Stanley for something like 100 years between them, and we hope local people will heed our appeal for help." |
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