Machete terror for frail pensioner and son


A pensioner and his son were threatened with a machete in their own home by three raiders who smashed their way in and stole the keys to a high-powered car which they later used in a robbery.

The balaclava-clad thugs smashed a window in the house in Lynmouth Close, Chadderton, before kicking in the front door after failing to break in at the back of the property.

The frail 78-year-old and his son tried to hold the door shut but were overpowered.

One of the raiders burst into the house brandishing a machete and threatened the pair to hand over the keys to the Ford Focus RS on the driveway.

They were given the keys and then the trio demanded the second set of keys for another vehicle but the householders refused.

The three thugs then jumped into the Ford Focus and drove off at speed towards Haigh Lane, Chadderton, at 7.30pm on Wednesday.

All three wore dark clothing and balaclavas. One was described as being around 5ft 11in tall, slim to medium build and spoke with a Manchester accent.

An hour later, two raiders brandishing a firearm and a machete stormed into the Heyside Spar, Heyside, and threatened staff to hand over cash from the till.

The terrified assistant handed the cash over to the thugs who then fled in a Ford Focus car, which is still missing.

The first man is described as white, 5ft 5in tall and of a stocky build. He wore a black balaclava, dark coloured jeans and a fleece-type jacket. He spoke with an Oldham accent.

The second was described as white, 6ft tall and of a slim build. He wore dark clothing and a black balaclava. He spoke with a strong Oldham accent.

Detectives say both incidents are linked and are appealing to anyone who may have seen the raiders to call Oldham police on 0161-856 8965 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.