Pensioner 'could have been killed'

Published Tuesday, 30 October 2012
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A pensioner who was tied up and beaten by two men in his Banbridge home has told UTV he is lucky to be alive.

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George Burns, 85, was tied to chair by the burglars and hit around the arms and hands until he was left black and blue.

The pair - one of whom was armed with a knife - then made off with a sum of money, while Mr Burns was taken to hospital for treatment on his injuries.

"I'm lucky, they could have killed me," he told UTV, before describing the chilling moment he encountered the men in the hallway of his Aughnacloy Road home on Monday night.

"I heard the door. He was looking money. I was frightened enough to tell you the truth. I knew rightly they were coming to do me harm.

They beat the arms off me, beat the hands off me, beat everything.

George Burns

"The fella pushed me up into the room then the next fella was standing there with a knife - and they gave me an awful beating.

"They only didn't beat me round the head and face."

The elderly victim, who lives alone, was rushed to hospital in Craigavon, where he received treatment for injuries which were described as not life threatening.

Councillor Seamus Doyle knows Mr Burns personally and described him as a "quiet gentleman", adding that the attack has disgusted local people.

"These thugs broke the window down and came in and tied him in his chair and took some money," said the SDLP representative.

"His injuries are to his wrists but the trauma of somebody going into his house and him on his own is desperate. George Burns has lived here a lot of his life, he's a quiet gentleman who didn't bother anybody and the local community are disgusted with this."

John McCallister of the UUP condemned the assault.

He said: "The fact that one of the two individuals responsible carried a knife indicates just how dangerous these men are and how important it is that they are caught.

"I am absolutely disgusted that a man in his 80s should have the safety of his home violated and be subjected to a sickening and terrifying ordeal during which he was tied up, pushed to the ground and had a sum of cash stolen."

Police said the attackers have been described as being in their 40s and well built.

They have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Meanwhile Mr Burns, who is recovering from his injuries, said he just feels lucky the beating he suffered wasn't even more severe.

He continued: "I have my marks here to carry on my arms and wrists but it could have been worse, I could be lying here with my eyes closed."

© UTV News
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