Purley burglary victim may never walk again

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Purley burglary victim may never walk again after first floor escape leap

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A terrified woman who leapt from a first floor window to escape a violent burglary fears she may never walk again due to her injuries.

The 48-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had her wrists and ankles bound with duct tape after two thugs burst into her Purley Way home on April 23.

She was dragged up to her bedroom and had death threats shouted at her as the intruders ransacked wardrobes, demanding to know where cash and jewellery were hidden.

But the fiery victim managed to drag herself to the window and launch herself out while the attackers plundered a neighbouring room.

In an exclusive interview with the Croydon Guardian, the single mother explained she was devastated at the thought of never walking again - but was determined to overcome her injuries.

She said: “I want to fight.

“I’m very sad, but I have to be strong.

“The doctor came in on Saturday morning and said I needed an operation, but they said they didn’t know if I would be able to walk.

“I’m just a normal person - I work every day, I pick up my son from school, I go to the gym.

“If I can’t walk I don’t know what I’ll do.”

A six-hour operation at the Atkinson Morley wing of St George’s Hospital, Tooting on Saturday appears to have been successful, with some movement returning to one of her legs.

She has since been transferred for specialist care at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury.

Bearing cuts to her face and covered in dark bruises on her legs and wrists, she explained how she had been woken by the doorbell ringing just after 1.45pm on the day of the attack.


Wearing just a nightdress, she answered the door to a man dressed in Royal Mail jacket asking her to sign for a delivery, but said there was no sign of any parcel.

A second man with a stocking over his head then rushed her and forced her to the ground, hitting her head against the floor and shouting “don’t move, don’t move”.

She described the first man as about 5ft 5in tall, wearing a red t-shirt and Royal Mail jacket, and with black hair, thick eyebrows and a moustache.

The second attacker wore a stocking over his head and gloves, and had a beige top zipped up to his neck.

Police investigating the burglary are looking for the owners of a white van see parked outside at the time of the attack.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.