A 98-year-old man who was attacked and robbed in his own home has been left fighting for his life.

Police are seeking witnesses after Peter Gouldstone was found in a semi-conscious state by his 67-year-old son Simon.

Officers were called to his home of more than 60 years in Evesham Road in Enfield, north London, at around 10am on Tuesday, after a neighbour noticed the back door was open.

Image: Police found evidence of a disturbance in the house

Police said if the neighbour had not raised the alarm Mr Gouldstone "may have succumbed to his injuries".

Officers said they found evidence of a disturbance in the house and a number of items were missing, including a black Panasonic television and other personal belongings.


Paramedics tended to the pensioner, who was taken to an east London hospital where police said he remains in a life-threatening condition with "two bleeds on the brain" and "extremely severe injuries".

His son Simon said he was "lost for words at man's inhumanity to man".

Image: Simon Gouldstone said he is 'lost for words' following the attack on his father

The former civil servant, who was alerted by a neighbour, said: "I smelt a rat because the house was very cold, he was in amongst quite a lot of turmoil.

"He couldn't communicate, he had bruising on his arms and face."

Appealing to anyone with information to help police with their investigation, he added: "How can you live with yourselves?

"Examine your consciences. The sooner they're locked up the better."

Mr Gouldstone said his father was a former telephone engineer who worked for the Post Office before retiring in 1980.

His wife of 65 years Joan died in 2013 and the couple also had a daughter.

Image: A police cordon has been set up around the property

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley said: "This was a brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable pensioner in his own home. The level of violence used was completely excessive."

He said the victim spoke to his son on the phone on Monday at 2pm and had not raised any concerns.

"We are therefore confident, the attack has taken place in the 20-hour window between then, possibly Bonfire Night, to when he was discovered," he said.

Mr Ridley said patrols in the area had been stepped up and urged anyone who may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the area to come forward and contact police.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she rang Mr Gouldstone's son after noticing Mr Gouldstone's garage door was open, which she said was "unusual".

"His son came and then police and an ambulance were here until it was dark," she said.

"I've known him for many, many years and he has a charming family. It's not nice, you just have to lock up and hope."

Pio Gomes, 78, said Mr Gouldstone was rarely seen outside his home since his wife died several years ago.

He said: "After that he wouldn't come out much. I used to take his bins out for him because he wasn't steady.

"His son Simon used to come round and take him out, take him shopping.

"Of course it affects you because it's worrying. It's callous. Who could have done this to an old man like him?"

A police cordon was set up in the area and the fence of Mr Gouldstone's garden appeared to have been knocked down.

Anyone with information can call Enfield CID via 101 quoting CAD 2140/6Nov, or by tweeting @MetCC under Operation Name 'Burrow, or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org