Man arrested after aggravated burglary

A man is in custody following an aggravated burglary in which a 79-year-old woman was attacked in her own home.

It happened between 10.30pm and 11.15pm on Tuesday 11 June 2013 when the woman was at home alone at her house on Oulder Hill Drive, Bamford.

The offender scaled the back garden fence and confronted the victim in the garden. They then went inside and he hit her repeatedly about the face and head with a torch.

He then searched drawers while demanding a small amount of cash. He then left via the front door, locking the victim inside the house. It’s believed he turned left towards Bury Road.

A 52-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of robbery and is being questioned by officers.

Detective Inspector Andrew Aston, based at Rochdale, said: “This was an horrific ordeal for the elderly woman and our officers have been working round-the-clock to investigate this.

“The attack would quite rightly appal residents but I want to reassure them that we have now made an arrest. This does not mean the investigation is over and we are continuing to appeal for witnesses.”