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Stabbed woman, 82, feared going out alone
Peter Dominiczak01.07.09
The husband of a pensioner stabbed nine times in the street spoke today of his shock at the apparently random attack.
Ann Driscoll, 82, a full-time carer for her husband Cornelius, was today stable in hospital after suffering stab wounds to her body and neck. She was attacked as she carried her groceries in Harlesden on Monday afternoon.
Mrs Driscoll staggered 100 yards, covered in blood, in Fortune Gate Road before passers-by came to her rescue.
Mr Driscoll, who has been housebound for four weeks after an illness, said that until he became ill his wife would never leave the house alone because she was afraid of being mugged. He said: "I was so shocked. I was waiting here but she never came back. Then two police officers came to the house and told me what happened."
Mr Driscoll has not been able to visit his wife in hospital and neighbours said he is anxiously waiting for her to come home.
He said: "Ann was alone in the street after the attack. She only had £20 on her for the shopping and no jewellery except her wedding ring."
Police said Mrs Driscoll had been shopping in Harlesden High Street and is believed to have caught the No 18 bus before the attack in Burns Road at about 3pm. Nothing was stolen. Detectives are examining CCTV footage. Her attacker is described as white, aged between 30 and 45, with brown hair, and was wearing brown clothing. He may have followed her off the bus.
A family friend who is caring for Mr Driscoll said: "Ann is such a lovely woman. I've been to see her in hospital. It looks like she's going to be OK. All she asks about is [her husband]. All they have is each other."
Anyone with information should call Brent police on 020 8733 3709 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Reader views (8)
Yet another Nuliebour success story.
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire
This is a terrible attack, seemingly made worse by the apparent randomness of it, but the hysterical responses of commenters suggesting that Britain is a terrible place to live and that we should all be scared to go out of front doors is nonsense.
The police and politicans now have entire teams trying to commbat the 'fear of crime' despite the fact that crime stats have generally been improving for the last 50 years. This is in direct response to single situation knee jerk responses like those appearing here.
What makes this attack so shocking is the very fact of it's rarity. I've been alive well over 30 years and to date have not been stabbed in the street. Neither have my parents in their 50s, nor my Grandparents throughout the 70 plus years, nor for that matter anyone I know.
- Liberal And Proud, London, UK
Ron, how exactly do you propose that an 82 year old woman could have defended herself against a thirty something male? Armed bodyguard perhaps?
- Bob, Cheam
It was a senseless act, nothing taken and I hardly think there could be a grudge against an 82 year old lady. Wishing a speedy recovery to Mrs Driscoll and a speedy arrest so this frightened old lady can rest a little easier.
- Carrie D'Way, Birmingham
This is a sickening attack,as a previous poster said it is a sad indictment on British society,stabbing a defenceless 82 year old woman in broad daylight,whether the person they catch for this terrible crime is mentally ill or not they have got to throw the book at them,life inside with no release,I would personally seek physical punishment as well as custodial sentence,it is time the people of Britain took back the streets from the vermin who put fear into our elderly and law abiding citizens,its a disgrace that old people are to scared to walk the streets,when I was younger you would rarely hear of such attacks,now they seem to happen on a regular basis,what has happened to society when this sort of attack against elderly people is commonplace,its time to crack down on the scum who are seeking out weak targets and ruining our country.The problem is that when they catch these vermin they give them a slap on the wrist,and they walk out of court looking for the next innocent victim.Unless there are strong punishments for attacks against the old and weak the criminals will continue to seek them out as targets.
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand
Enough is enough let us have at least the right to be properly protected and to be able to protect ourselves properly against these people
- Ron Sealey, Croydon
What a terrifying and sad indictment of our society in which, it seems, nobody is safe to walk a few feet down their street. I do hope that the person responsible is caught swiftly and that some kind of example is made of them. I hope even more, that Mrs Driscoll returns home safe and well.
- Alex, Manchester, UK
This is terrible, poor woman, living in fear (for good reason).
If it isn't gangs knifing for fun or membership, it is mental patients left out 'in the community'. Both could be stopped and removed.
- Peter, London UK
