Shocking photographs of a 90-year-old who was assaulted in her bed show how she was left with severe bruising after being hit repeatedly in the face.

Iris Warner's son found her slipping in and out of consciousness at her home in northwest London on Monday.

She told police she remembers being woken in bed by a man standing over her who then hit her in the face with a weapon.

Detectives say her life had initially hung in the balance.

Image: The 90-year-old's family says she is 'highly independent'. Pic: Met Police

Ms Warner's condition has improved but she remains seriously ill and is likely to be in hospital for a long time.


Her son and daughter, who describe their mother as a "highly independent" woman who has lived in the house for decades, say they are "stunned and sickened" by the attack in Brampton Road in Kingsbury, north of the Wembley area.

They have released photos to try to prompt anyone with information to come forward.

The vicious assault is believed to have happened at some time between midday on Saturday 2 June and midday on Monday 4 June.

Image: Ms Warner was also left with bruising on her arms and legs. Pic: Met Police

It appears the attacker searched Ms Warner's bedroom, but it is so far unclear whether anything was stolen.

She has so far been unable to give a description of her attacker, who also left her with bruises on her arms and legs.

"This was a horrific attack carried out on a very vulnerable elderly woman in her own home, and must have been absolutely terrifying for Iris," said Detective Inspector Saj Hussain, from Brent CID

"She has various medical complications on top of the injuries sustained in the assault that are likely to keep her in hospital for a very long time."

Police are asking people who were in the Brampton Road area between last Saturday and Monday whether they saw anyone acting suspiciously - or saw Ms Warner herself during that time.

"It is important not to dismiss any information you might have as unimportant - it could prove vital to our investigation," said DI Hussain.

:: Anyone with information can contact Brent CID on 07747 476161. Alternatively, call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting ref: CAD 3347/4June. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.