by Steve Wright Crime Reporter A 60-year-old woman needed hospital treatment after she was punched in the mouth during a violent break-in by three masked men at her Bradford home.

The woman, and her 36-year-old son were confronted by three masked men who burst into their house in Rowantree Drive, Thorpe Edge, through the back door.

The gang demanded money and then assaulted the two victims.

The woman was thumped in the face, suffering injuries to her mouth and jaw, which later needed hospital treatment. Her son suffered bruising and facial injuries but did not go to hospital.

One of the gang kept the couple under guard while his two accomplices carried out a search of the upstairs of the property. But they fled the house empty-handed, leaving by the back door.

The aggravated burglary took place between 3pm and 4pm on Monday.

Police are appealing for witnesses and want to speak to anyone with information about the incident.

The three attackers were all white men in black balaclava masks.

The woman was treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary, but was not detained.

Detective Constable Gareth Hamer, who is investigating, said: “This was an unusual and troubling offence in which a 60-year-old woman has been assaulted, and it is fortunate she is not seriously injured.

“I want to stress that this type of offence is very rare, particularly for this part of Thorpe Edge, and we would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident, or has information, which can either be given to myself on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”

  • Read the full story in Wednesday's T&A