Man charged following robbery at home of elderly couple

A man is due in court charged in connection with a robbery at the home of an elderly couple in Middleton.

At about 3.30pm on Sunday 13 November 2011, an 86-year-old woman opened the back door of her house on Sedgley Street, Middleton, and was about to collect her washing when two men pushed past her.

The pair grabbed the woman's 90-year-old husband, pushed him into the lounge and searched his pockets.

They stole cash and the woman’s handbag, containing the couple’s pension money, before leaving.

A footwear impression was recovered by staff from GMP’s forensic services branch and circulated to officers.

During a police visit to an address in Middleton for an unrelated matter, officers noticed footwear that matched the impression left at the house.

Patrick Ward of Middleton, has been charged with two counts of robbery and is due to appear at Rochdale Magistrates’ Court this morning, Thursday 24 November 2011.