Birmingham Mail

November 4, 2014

A shocking photo of a 70-year-old woman’s bruised and bloodied face has been released after she was attacked on a Birmingham canal path.

The woman suffered a fractured cheek, cuts and bruises in the attack as she walked along the tow path on Scotland Street in Ladywood with her daughter last month.

Two men grabbed her handbag and pushed her to the floor on Saturday October 11 at around 8.30pm. Police have only just released details of the attack.

Inside the bag was a cherished photo of her grandmother as a child in the 1920s.

She has allowed West Midlands Police to release the photo showing her horrific injuries despite wishing to remain anonymous.

Detective Constable Mark Timmins, from the Birmingham Acquisitive Crime team, said: “I would like to commend the lady’s bravery for allowing the image of her injuries to be released.

“This was a cowardly attack and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen the robbery or who knows the people involved to call me or one of the team.

“A cherished photo dating back to the 1920s of her grandmother as a child was in the handbag when it was stolen. This has high sentimental value and I am appealing for that to be returned.”

The thieves are described as black and around 5ft 10” tall. They were both wearing hoodies with the hoods pulled up.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Acquisitive Investigation team at Birmingham on 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.