Second World War veteran, 98, fighting for life after ‘brutal and senseless’ attack by burglars in north London home
Paul Gouldstone suffers head injury and bruises to his body
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A 98-year-old man has been left with severe injuries after he was attacked with “excessive force” and robbed in his own home.
Peter Gouldstone is fighting for his life after being discovered in his home with bruising to his body and a head injury in Enfield, north London.
Police have not released all the details about the case but officers said there was a disturbance at Mr Gouldstone’s house and that a Toshiba television and other items were missing.
Mr Gouldstone’s son, Simon, told reporters his father had worked on phone lines in Italy during the Second World War, going on to a career at the Post Office before retiring in around 1980.
He said he found his father in a “semi-conscious state” in his bedroom on Tuesday morning after the back door was broken in.
“I smelt a rat because the house was very cold, he was in amongst quite a lot of turmoil,” he said.
“He couldn’t communicate, he had bruising on his arms and face. I don’t know how they can live with themselves. The sooner they’re locked up the better.
“As a member of the family I’m shocked, as a member of the human race I’m lost for words at man’s inhumanity to man I’m afraid.”
One elderly neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she noticed Mr Gouldstone’s garage door was open, which was “unusual”.
She said: “His son came and then police and an ambulance were here until it was dark. I’ve known him for many, many years and he has a charming family. It’s not nice, you just have to lock up and hope.”
A police cordon was set up in the alleyway behind the property and his garden fence has been knocked down.
Another neighbour Pio Gomes, 78, said Mr Gouldstone rarely left his home, where he had lived for more than 60 years, after his wife died several years ago.
He said: “After that he wouldn’t come out much. I used to take his bins out for him because he wasn’t steady. His son Simon used to come round and take him out, take him shopping. Of course it affects you because it’s worrying. It’s callous. Who could have done this to an old man like him?”
No arrests have been made so far and investigations are ongoing.
Detective Inspector Paul Ridley said: “This was a brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable pensioner in his own home. The level of violence used was completely excessive. From our enquiries we have established that the victim was spoken to by a family member on the telephone on Monday 5 November at 2pm and had not raised any concerns.
“We are therefore confident the attack has taken place in the 20 hour window between then, possibly bonfire night, to when he was discovered. I would urge any members of the public that may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Evesham Road, Enfield, N11, to come forward to my investigation team as a priority.”
Agencies contributed to this report