Shropshire woman tells of brutal attack on elderly father
A Shropshire woman today spoke of the terrifying moment she found out that her 84-year-old father had been the subject of a brutal attack by a gang of thugs.
Giselle Smith, who lives near Market Drayton, has appealed for help in tracing the gang, which left her father with serious injuries following a terrifying car-jacking.
Michael Green, who was dragged from his car, suffered a broken hip as well as cuts and bruising during the attack.
His 42-year-old daughter, from Childs Ercall, said she is having to take time off work to visit him in hospital in Wolverhampton every day.
The business analyst, who mainly works from home, expects her father to be released from hospital next week.
"He is making good progress," she said. "He is still a bit shaken and some days he is happy to talk about it, while on others he is not so keen.
"He is doing physio and they are making him walk a few steps.
"I have a brother and sister and together we will rally around to look after him and his partner when he comes out of hospital."
The attack happened as her father left The Trumpet pub in Bilston, near Wolverhampton, last Friday evening.
As the retired sales rep and musician started his engine, the offenders pulled open his door and yanked him from the Toyota Avensis.
They then sped off in the £2,000 vehicle leaving the frightened pensioner lying badly injured in the gutter at about 11.30pm.
Mr Green was taken to Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital where he needed surgery to a head wound and treatment for a fractured hip.
Miss Smith, who has lived in Shropshire for about 20 years, has released a photo of her father's injuries and has spoken of the moment she found out about the attack.
"I was in bed and I got a phone call at 2am from dad who was calling from the policeman's mobile," she said.
"Of course I went straight to the hospital and dad was covered in blood and in a lot of pain. It was really upsetting to see him like that.
"We are just concerned about his mental health now. You can mend broken bones but we are just hoping he can recover enough to go out.
"The thing is it could happen anywhere - it was just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"I have no words really to describe how we feel about the attackers.
"There was no motive. It is not like they had his wallet and it's not a fancy car but it was my dad's pride and joy."
West Midlands Police said despite stealing the car the thieves crashed it a short time later just off Ettingshall Road less than four miles away from the pub.
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Pete Dunn, from West Midlands Police CID, said: "This was a motiveless and cowardly attack on a vulnerable and elderly man.
"I will do everything within my power to bring these culprits to justice and I am appealing for the communities help."
A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of robbery yesterday, while a 16-year-old was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of robbery and was later bailed pending further inquiries.
If anyone has any information call police on 101.
