Yob attack OAP relives ordeal

A 70-year-old woman who was badly injured when deliberately knocked to the ground by young yobs on bikes has spoken publicly for the first time since her ordeal.

Barbara West, from Cannock, has also released a picture showing the extent of her injuries..

The mother-of-seven is now too frightened to go out alone and has been forced to leave her home. But she has spoken out to try and bring the three teenagers responsible to justice.

Mrs West is still recovering from the attack in a specialist rehab unit in Great Wyrley, more than two weeks after she was attacked on November 9.

The pensioner, who was born and raised in Bridgtown, was walking home after returning from a shopping trip in Cannock at about 3.30pm.

Three youths on bikes rode towards her. Mrs West said: "I never thought anything of it but then I heard one of them say 'let's get her' and I was on the floor in the gutter.They whirled me round like a spinning top and then they rode off. I recognised their blazers from Blake Valley Technology College."

Mrs West added: "I don't want to go back home now and it has upset me because I keep crying a lot."

A couple in a car stopped to help Mrs West and an ambulance was called. She suffered facial injuries.

Her daughter Beverley, who lives in Bond Way, Hednesford, said: "These youths need to be found and stopped because they need help if they can do that to someone. The problem is they think it's just a laugh but it's the effect that lasts a lot longer."

Anyone with information should contact Dc David Cutler on 08453 30 20 10 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.