Vicious burglar nearly blinded victim in raid

CCTV from a burglary on Williams Road, Moston.

A MAN was nearly blinded by a burglar who stole just £2.50 and a bank card.

Police were called to reports of an aggravated burglary on Williams Road, Moston, shortly after 5.45am on July 4.

The offender gained entry through the back door of the man's home before threatening him with a knife as he slept in his bed.

The attacker demanded money and then fled with the victim's bank card and £2.50 cash after punching him several times in the face.

The victim, a 64-year-old man, suffered facial injuries and now has extremely limited vision in one eye as a result of this attack.

The bank card was later used in a local newsagents and police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the burglary.

Detective Constable Andrea Cullum, from GMP's City of Manchester borough, said: "This was an appalling attack on an innocent man who was sleeping in his own home.

"No-one should be put through this and not only did this ordeal frighten him, but it also left him with a life-long impairment.

"We are doing everything we can to find the vicious man responsible for this horrific attack.

"I would ask that anybody who thinks they may know something that can assist with our investigation to please contact police. Similarly if you think you recognise the man in the picture, please get in touch."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 327 of 4 July 2017, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.