71-year-old woman assaulted and robbed in Middleton

Detectives in Middleton are appealing for information after a 71-year-old woman was punched in the face during a street robbery onTuesday 12 April 2005.

The woman had been to a local shop on Oldham Road at approximately 12.50pm. As she left the shop and walked along Oldham Road she noticed two men walking towards her, away from Middleton.

As she reached the junction with Kenyon Lane the two men approached and stopped her, asking for a cigarette. The woman said she didn't have any, at which point the men demanded money from her. 

One of the men then restrained her while the other searched her pockets, stealing a packet of cigarettes and some loose change.

The men then insulted her and punched her twice in the face, before pushing her to the floor and running away.

The woman suffered swelling to the left hand side of her face and had a tooth knocked out.

The two men are described as white. One is described as being 5ft 10in tall, of stocky build and having a shaven head. He was wearing jeans and a dark jacket.

The other man was slightly shorter and wore a dark baseball cap.

If anyone saw two men matching that description in the area, or who has any other information,they are asked to call Middleton CID on 0161 856 8753 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.