Durham aggravated burglary

Dr William Benson, a 92-year-old retired doctor, was viciously attacked in his own bed just after midnight on 17 October 2008. Following the brutal and sustained attack, the intruders left him stranded on his bed, unable to move or call for help.

Well known and highly respected in the community, Dr Benson lives alone in an isolated house on the outskirts of Stanley in North West Durham. He has lived in the house since 1921, and is house bound after losing part of his leg in the 1980s. He gets around with the assistance of electric wheelchairs and a stair lift, and relies totally on carers to assist him during the day.

At about 7.50pm on Wednesday 15 October 2008, the CCTV at Dr Benson's address, which views the front of the property, caught two men in balaclavas acting suspiciously at the front of the house. Five minutes earlier the same evening, a witness saw three males walking up Beamish Lane in the area of Dr Benson's house. Described as in their 20s, two of the men were about 5ft 10in tall; the other was 6ft tall. All three wore dark clothing. Police believe these were the same men who robbed Dr Benson the following day.

It was just before midnight on 16 October that three men broke into Dr Benson's house. Breaking through the window and disabling the CCTV, the intruders then proceeded to ransack parts of the house, grabbing whatever antiques they could.

Having found the safe in the upstairs airing cupboard, the burglars then woke Dr Benson up, demanding cash and the key for his safe. Confused an unable to move, Dr Benson was telling the truth when he said he had no idea where they key was. He hadn't touched it in years, and there was no cash in the house at all.

But the intruders didn't listen. As the attack got more and more violent, Dr Benson was punched several times in the face, and one of the attackers pulled a knife on him. Framed photographs were also thrown on him, causing cuts to his rights arm.

Perhaps worse of all, the intruders removed Dr Benson's security pendant from his neck and disconnected the house phones before leaving. They also moved his bed hoist and electric wheel chair and removed his bedclothes. He was left entirely helpless, freezing in his bed and unable to seek help. It was only at 9am the next morning when his carer arrived that the alarm was raised.

It is believed the intruders were inside the address for at least an hour, but it appears they left in a hurry, leaving a big pile of antiques by the back door. The robbers, who went to such extreme lengths to get what they wanted, left with nothing.

A lamp and charger were left at the premises; police believe they were left there by the burglars.

The intruders are described as three white males, all aged in their 20s. One who Dr Benson referred to as the "nasty" one had blonde hair, and spoke with a "coastal" accent, suggesting he is from North Shields.

As a result of this incident Dr Benson suffered bruising to his face and head, and bruising and cuts to his arms. Although he has recovered well, he has spoken about feeling insecure and frightened in his own home.

• • Did you see three men acting suspiciously in the Beamish Lane area on the evening of 15 October 2008, or around midnight the following day?

• • Do you know anything about the lamp left at the property?

• • Do you recognise the description of any of the offenders? Particularly, can you name the blonde man, around 6ft tall with a "coastal" (most likely North Shields) accent?

Durham Constabulary

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