News

A WOMAN has spoken out after a man held a screwdriver to her throat and viciously beat her in her own home - for just £35.

Linda Smith, 56, spoke to reporters last week and said she thought she was going to die during the 20-minute assault which left her needing hospital treatment.

She had been watching television and went to make a cup of tea when the man appeared in her kitchen doorway.

"I said 'what are you doing in my home, get out,' but he wouldn't. Then he hit me and he just kept hitting me," she said.

"He held a screwdriver to my neck and said 'give me your f**king money.' Every time I said hadn't got any, he punched me.

"He was throwing me around like a rag doll. He threw me from the kitchen into the bedroom onto the floor and was hitting me while his foot was on my chest. My dog was trying to protect me so he kicked him too.

"When he found a £20 note he hit me again and said I'd been lying to him.

"I tried to defend myself as much as I could but my face took a right hitting. He was trying to knock me out.

"It went on for ages and I thought I was going to die, I didn't expect to be alive by the time he had done."

Linda, who has lived on Neville Close, Wombwell, for 13 years, said the robber was only interrupted after a neighbour heard her screams.

Police were called and Linda was taken to Barnsley Hospital where she spent the night.

She was taken for x-rays and was treated for cuts and bruises and damage to her left eye.

The robber - who was covering his face with a scarf - ran off with a £20 note and £15 change following the attack.

He is described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, about 6ft4ins, of slim build and wearing dark clothing and a hoody jumper.

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 1209 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.