Disabled man attacked in his own home

A man with a disability was found slumped on his sofa with a broken leg and collapsed lung 15 hours after two men assaulted him with his own walking stick.

The 52-year-old man answered the door to his house on Whitehall Street, Rochdale, at about 3am on Saturday 15 May 2010.

Two men, whom he had seen before, asked to come inside and sat in the front room with the victim.

They asked the man for cigarettes, drugs and money, but the man said he did not have any.

As the conversation continued, the offenders became angry and one of them kicked the victim in the face as he was sitting on the couch.

This offender then picked up the victim's walking stick and hit him with it on the head at least ten times, as well as his shoulder, ribs and shin. During the assault one of the offenders also stamped on the victim's head.

The offenders then left with the walking stick, and the victim was unable to move.

A relative found him in the same position at 8pm that day.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a broken leg, broken ribs and punctured lung as well as cuts and swelling to his head. He remains there in a stable condition.

Both offenders are described as being white men with short hair in their early 20s, of stocky build and about 5ft 7in tall.

The offender who attacked the victim was wearing a red T-shirt and had a distinctive nose.

His accomplice had a small nose and was wearing a white T-shirt.

Detective Constable Rich Shelton, of Rochdale CID, said: "This was an unprovoked attack on a vulnerable man already suffering from a walking disability.

"The victim thought he might die as a result of the attack as he was left unable to move or call for help.

"We have investigated this attack relentlessly since it happened, but are calling on anyone with information to come to us as soon as possible.

"Such an attack is a rare event and I am asking the public to assist us in ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4557 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.