Veteran war hero beaten mercilessly by burglars

Nov 12 2008 by Pat Hurst, Daily Post correspondent

THIS is war hero Bob Schofield who risked his life for his country abroad – beaten mercilessly by burglars in his own home.

The 89-year-old old war veteran was left bloodied and bruised after confronting intruders who broke into his house just hours after millions in the UK paid respects to those who fought and died on Remembrance Sunday.

Mr Schofield was at home with his wife, Mollie, 87, when the couple were disturbed from sleep.

He was battered repeatedly in the face and head at the couple’s cottage in Saltforth, Lancashire, in the early hours of Monday.

They were only discovered hours later, lying injured and bleeding on the floor, after neighbours raised the alarm.

His attackers used an "obscene" level of violence on the frail pensioner, police said, releasing the shocking photo of Mr Schofield yesterday, as millions more paid their respects to those who sacrificed their lives in warfare.

The former Royal Navy sailor served on the notorious North Atlantic convoys bringing aid to Britain’s allies in Russia.

He battled mountainous seas and enemy attack crewing escort ships on the missions across the North Sea from Scarpa Flow to Murmansk.

The convoy’s suffered some of the heaviest losses in the war as Nazi U- Boats and enemy dive bombers attacked.

Yesterday Mr Schofield and his wife were recovering from their ordeal in Airedale Hospital, Keighley, West Yorkshire.

Acting Detective Inspector Dave Groombridge said: "This is a deplorable offence, committed against an elderly defenceless couple in their own home.

"It’s hard to imagine a more heartless, cowardly and despicable occurrence and detectives will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to find those responsible.

"Bob is 89 years of age and can’t have been a serious threat to anyone. The level of violence used is obscene and I appeal to anyone with knowledge of the offence or the identity of the offenders to come forward.

"Even those in or on the periphery of crime cannot surely condone this behaviour and I particularly appeal to the criminal fraternity to call time on this and do what is right."

Neighbours noticed the curtains were still drawn at the couple’s home yesterday morning, which was unusual, and raised the alarm.

Relatives arrived to find the couple still lying shocked and injured.

Police said offences of this type are rare and increased policing patrols are taking place to reassure the community in the Pendle area of Lancashire.

Detectives are still trying to piece together what happened and are appealing for anyone with information on the incident to call Pendle CID on 01282 472644 or Crimestoppers.