Bartender speaks of armed robbery terror

SUSAN was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital after sustaining injuries to her head and neck in the robbery

A WOMAN has spoken out after she endured an horrific attack during a Chadderton armed robbery.

Susan Coulson (52) was grabbed by the neck and "hit several times" with a pool cue rest as three men raided Chadderton Cricket and Bowling Club, off Lancaster Street.

The grandma-of-two said she would never wish the same thing to be inflicted on anybody. Club staff have appealed for anyone with information to call police.

Chadderton-based Ms Coulson sustained injuries to her neck, head, eye and shoulder as well as bruising to her right side, knee, shin and rib cage.

Horrific

The bartender and cleaner said: "It has been an horrific experience and I hope they catch them because nobody should go through what I went through. The hospital said I could have lost my eye had I not been wearing glasses.

"I was very lucky to get away without any broken bones."

Ms Coulson, who has worked at the club for more than 16 years, arrived for work just before 6pm on Sunday, January 15.

Around 10 people were in the lounge when the men burst in at about 11.20pm.

She said: "There were two men near the entrance to the lounge keeping people inside. They told people to sit down, shut up and not move. I had just gone back behind the bar and the other man was there in my face. He grabbed me and I ended up near the pool table."

The man demanded safe keys from Ms Coulson who told him calmly each time that she did not have them.

She said: "He was dragging me about and had hold of my T-shirt. He was picking me up and throwing me."

The men made further demands for a key to the float money. One man who was carrying a crowbar went behind the bar and demanded cash.

Ms Coulson added: "I could see my hand shaking as I was trying to open the strong room."

As the men were leaving Ms Coulson was again thrown to the floor where she was kicked and hit with a pool cue.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161-856 9080 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.