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Oldham pensioner run over by her own vehicle after being tricked by car thief

Police are trying to trace the man behind the incident, who is described as white, in his mid-40s and of stocky build

Will Worley
Wednesday 20 April 2016 22:19 BST
'This is one of the worst incidents I have had to investigate in a very long time'
'This is one of the worst incidents I have had to investigate in a very long time'

Police in Manchester are trying to find the perpetrator of a “horrible crime” which left an old lady hospitalised after a thief stole her car then ran over her.

The 79-year-old woman suffered serious injuries during the robbery, after she was driven over as the vehicle fled the scene in Oldham.

The woman had got out of her white Hyundai i10 after being approached by a man shortly before 2pm on Wednesday. He told her there was a problem with her car that she should look at.

As she checked to see what was wrong, the man jumped into the car and reversed, knocking the woman over. He then drove over her in the car park on Sandy Lane, Royton.

The car was later recovered at Buersil Avenue near the Turf Hill area of Rochdale.

Police are trying to trace the man behind the incident, who is described as white, in his mid-40s and of stocky build. He was wearing a light long-sleeved top and dark trousers.

Detective Inspector Ian Harratt, from Greater Manchester Police's Oldham division, said: "This is one of the worst incidents I have had to investigate in a very long time.

"My thoughts are with the lady and her family. We are doing all that we can to support them and find the man responsible for this horrible crime.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the incident or the car in the Royton and Rochdale areas or may know the man responsible to come and talk to police.

"Any information, no matter how small, could be vital in our investigation.

"I am determined to bring this man to justice. How someone can do this to anyone, never mind a 79-year-old lady, I will never know."

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted on 0161 856 8906. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Press Association contributed to this report.

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