Miss-Delectable
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http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/2006/03/02/63f58438-50c2-44bf-821d-ab88941f1e68.lpf
A BLIND 86-year-old woman was pinned to the floor by masked burglars who ransacked her house and stole her savings.
Millie Aylett, who is registered blind, was held down and her husband, Bernard, 87, who is deaf and recently discharged from hospital after major heart surgery, sat helpless as the three intruders robbed the couple of their life savings.
The devastated pensioners spoke of their ordeal exclusively to the Newsin the hope it will compel anyone with information about those responsible to come forward.
The callous burglary, which investigating officers have branded "disgusting", happened just before 8.30pm when three masked men forced their way into the couple's bungalow in Rampton Road, Willingham, and demanded money for drugs.
Officers have even appealed to the criminal community to turn in the despicable crooks.
Millie said: "I find it hard to believe these men were human. They terrified us.
"We were both sitting in the lounge and they gave us such a fright. They just burst in. We thought we are safe. We should have been - all the doors and windows were locked.
"But one man prised open a window in the conservatory and let the others in through the door.
"They were dressed head-to-toe in black and wore gloves and balaclavas. They immediately flew at us and knocked our glasses off. Then, one man, the biggest and strongest, pinned us down and told us he'd hurt us if we resisted.
"We were completely powerless. We felt so scared and so vulnerable."
Two of the men then turned the home upside down in a desperate search for valuables and money.
Bernard, a former carpenter, said: "They told us they needed money for drugs.
"They took everything we had. We were saving for a holiday. We're not getting any younger so we wanted to really treat ourselves.
"They went though everything, even my wife's clothes and personal items. They also stole her jewellery" Millie said: "One of the most hurtful things is that they stole my grandmother's engagement ring. It was really precious to me."
The nightmare lasted for more than 20 minutes before the criminals escaped.
An ambulance had to be called for Bernard who has a serious heart condition and was discharged from Addenbrookes just nine days earlier.
The couple were so distressed they could not go to bed that night. They sat in their lounge paralysed with fright and it took them hours to clear the devastation.
Detective Inspector Martin Brunning, who is investigating the burglary, said: "I cannot express my disgust at the actions of these men strongly enough.
"To pin down an elderly couple, remove their glasses so they can't see, ransack their home and rob them of money that has taken them years to save, you really have to be the lowest of the low.
"These men deserve protection from noone.
They are despicable criminals who have preyed on vulnerable people, people helpless to defend themselves or their property.
"I am urging anyone who knows who these men are, or thinks they may have information that could help us find them, to contact my investigation team immediately.
The crime is so sick the police have made a direct appeal to criminals for information.
Mr Brunning said: "I would also like to appeal directly to the criminal fraternity to contact us, in confidence, with any information you may have about this incident.
Do you know these men?
"These men don't deserve to be protected by you. That couple could have been your parents, your grandparents. They could target your family next. Don't let that happen - tell us who these men are."
Officers seized a white VW flatbed lorry, containing scaffolding, from the car park in the nearby Black Bull pub. It is being examined by forensic specialists. Police believe it may have been used by the men.
Mr Brunning, said: "I would like to speak to anyone who saw a white van in Willingham on the night of the burglary. If you saw the van, or who was travelling in it, please call.
"We are determined to arrest the people who are committing these despicable offences against vulnerable members of our community and bring them to court.
"Extra patrols are being directed to areas where these offences have been happening, and officers are handing out burglary packs which contain crime prevention advice.
"I would again urge relatives of elderly people to take time out and ensure they keep their homes secured and have a chain on the door."
Anyone with information about the incident, which happened on Tuesday, should contact Det Insp Brunning at Parkside Police Station on 0845 456 4564, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
A BLIND 86-year-old woman was pinned to the floor by masked burglars who ransacked her house and stole her savings.
Millie Aylett, who is registered blind, was held down and her husband, Bernard, 87, who is deaf and recently discharged from hospital after major heart surgery, sat helpless as the three intruders robbed the couple of their life savings.
The devastated pensioners spoke of their ordeal exclusively to the Newsin the hope it will compel anyone with information about those responsible to come forward.
The callous burglary, which investigating officers have branded "disgusting", happened just before 8.30pm when three masked men forced their way into the couple's bungalow in Rampton Road, Willingham, and demanded money for drugs.
Officers have even appealed to the criminal community to turn in the despicable crooks.
Millie said: "I find it hard to believe these men were human. They terrified us.
"We were both sitting in the lounge and they gave us such a fright. They just burst in. We thought we are safe. We should have been - all the doors and windows were locked.
"But one man prised open a window in the conservatory and let the others in through the door.
"They were dressed head-to-toe in black and wore gloves and balaclavas. They immediately flew at us and knocked our glasses off. Then, one man, the biggest and strongest, pinned us down and told us he'd hurt us if we resisted.
"We were completely powerless. We felt so scared and so vulnerable."
Two of the men then turned the home upside down in a desperate search for valuables and money.
Bernard, a former carpenter, said: "They told us they needed money for drugs.
"They took everything we had. We were saving for a holiday. We're not getting any younger so we wanted to really treat ourselves.
"They went though everything, even my wife's clothes and personal items. They also stole her jewellery" Millie said: "One of the most hurtful things is that they stole my grandmother's engagement ring. It was really precious to me."
The nightmare lasted for more than 20 minutes before the criminals escaped.
An ambulance had to be called for Bernard who has a serious heart condition and was discharged from Addenbrookes just nine days earlier.
The couple were so distressed they could not go to bed that night. They sat in their lounge paralysed with fright and it took them hours to clear the devastation.
Detective Inspector Martin Brunning, who is investigating the burglary, said: "I cannot express my disgust at the actions of these men strongly enough.
"To pin down an elderly couple, remove their glasses so they can't see, ransack their home and rob them of money that has taken them years to save, you really have to be the lowest of the low.
"These men deserve protection from noone.
They are despicable criminals who have preyed on vulnerable people, people helpless to defend themselves or their property.
"I am urging anyone who knows who these men are, or thinks they may have information that could help us find them, to contact my investigation team immediately.
The crime is so sick the police have made a direct appeal to criminals for information.
Mr Brunning said: "I would also like to appeal directly to the criminal fraternity to contact us, in confidence, with any information you may have about this incident.
Do you know these men?
"These men don't deserve to be protected by you. That couple could have been your parents, your grandparents. They could target your family next. Don't let that happen - tell us who these men are."
Officers seized a white VW flatbed lorry, containing scaffolding, from the car park in the nearby Black Bull pub. It is being examined by forensic specialists. Police believe it may have been used by the men.
Mr Brunning, said: "I would like to speak to anyone who saw a white van in Willingham on the night of the burglary. If you saw the van, or who was travelling in it, please call.
"We are determined to arrest the people who are committing these despicable offences against vulnerable members of our community and bring them to court.
"Extra patrols are being directed to areas where these offences have been happening, and officers are handing out burglary packs which contain crime prevention advice.
"I would again urge relatives of elderly people to take time out and ensure they keep their homes secured and have a chain on the door."
Anyone with information about the incident, which happened on Tuesday, should contact Det Insp Brunning at Parkside Police Station on 0845 456 4564, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.