Police issue fresh appeal for information in connection with Alness assault on elderly woman
Issued: 3 Aug 2010
Police have issued a fresh appeal for information following a break in and an assault on an elderly lady within her home in Alness during the early hours of Tuesday 27 July 2010.
The lady, who is in her 90s, was assaulted by an unknown man who broke into her home in Alness High Street. She received minor injuries as a result but was left traumatised by the incident.
Police would now like to hear from anyone who saw a man fitting the following description outside an address in Alness High Street, adjacent to the Bank of Scotland, between 0230 and 0330 on 27 July 2010.
The suspect is described as being between 5ft 7in and 5ft 9in, slim to medium build, wearing a dark, waist length jacket and jeans. He also spoke with a local accent.
Detectives would also like to speak to the drivers of two cars believed to have been in the area at the time and who may have information which could assist inquiries. The first car is a dark coloured saloon, possibly a Ford Mondeo and the second is a red Vauxhall Corsa and to any person who may have seen anyone in the Market Square area during the early hours of that morning.
Last night a team of officers revisited Alness High Street exactly a week after the assault took place to speak to people who may have been in the area at the time or been passing through as part of a weekly routine.
The Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) in the case, Detective Inspector Alex Chisholm, said: "A number of people were interviewed and we would like to thank people for their co-operation and patience. We are currently going through a number of statements taken to establish whether there is anything of significance and I would like to reassure the community a dedicated team of officers remain in Alness in relation to this enquiry."
Meanwhile, Crimestoppers Highland has issued a £500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
Crimestoppers Highland Chairman Jim Ferguson said: "This was a horrific assault on an elderly lady within her home. She was causing no one any harm and would not have been able to prevent this assault happening.
"The perpetrator of this heinous crime must be brought to justice for the good of the community. Both Crimestoppers and the Police are anxious to catch the person responsible.
"Crimestoppers is offering a slightly higher reward for information provided which leads to the capture and conviction of the assailant."
He added: "Anyone with information in relation to this dreadful assault can call Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111. The call will not be traced or recorded and there are processes in place to ensure the reward reaches the person who provides the vital piece of information.
"This is a substantial reward and reflects the revulsion within the community to this assault."
DI Chisholm added: This was a cowardly assault on an elderly lady within her own home and we would hope that anyone who knows anything, no matter how insignificant they think it may be, should come forward."
In fact the £500 reward has now been matched by Castle Group Security in Inverness who have also put up a £500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Operations Manager for Castle Group Security, Robert Mason, said: "I think this assault has sickened not only people within the Alness area, but communities across the Highlands and we are more than happy to take the Crimestoppers reward and match it, taking the total reward for information up to £1000."
Anyone who has information relating to the incident or the person responsible is urged to contact the Inquiry Team in Alness on 01349 882222 or call Crimestoppers anonymously 24-7 on 0800 555 111.
