£5k reward in bid to trap OAP's attackers

A £5000 reward has been offered to help catch four men who forced their way into an elderly woman's home and subjected her to a "sickening" attack.

The 76-year-old had her arms broken, serious head injuries and cuts to her face in the attack at Overdale Place, Overtown Wishaw, North Lanarkshire at just after 5am last Thursday.

The victim ran out to the street where the men continued to assault her with a bladed weapon. Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers said it would offer up to £5000 for information leading to a conviction.

Kate Jackson, Crime- stoppers national manager for Scotland, said: "The sickening violence of this attack needs immediate reaction.

"We are urging the public to call us anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information on this savage crime."

Police said the attack was not a robbery and are mystified as to why the OAP was targeted.

Mrs Coulter is the mother and grandmother of Ronnie and Andrew Coulter who were cleared of killing waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar in 1998. Police said they do not believe there is any link between the unsolved murder and the attack.