Man, 87, forced into car then blindfolded, beaten and dumped in West Yorkshire

-Credit: (Image: Google)
-Credit: (Image: Google)


A man aged 87 was forced into a car as he walked home from a mosque then blindfolded, beaten and driven to West Yorkshire, where he was dumped alone on a dark lane. Detectives in Oldham have launched an urgent investigation, saying the pensioner suffered serious injuries during what they called 'a terrifying ordeal'.

With his clothing ripped, the man walked around in darkness for an hour in the Rishworth area before he found a house and emergency services were called. They believe he may have been left near Booth Wood reservoir - and said he could have been killed.

Greater Manchester Police said he was walking home from Oldham Central Mosque on Featherstall Road in Oldham, close to the Tesco roundabout, when a black car pulled up beside him as he turned onto Lee Street from Manchester Street between 8pm and 9.30pm on Sunday. The force said two men got out and bundled him inside.

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"It is believed that the man was then blindfolded, with demands being made for money and his phone," said GMP in a statement. "During the incident, the man reports that he was threatened repeatedly, while being attacked and having his clothing ripped.

"The man was eventually pushed out of the car on a dark road, with the vehicle making off, at approximately 10.40pm. It was another hour before he was able to find a house, on Oldham Road in Rishworth, to receive aid and call 999. It is believed he may have been left close to the Turnpike pub or Boothwood Kennels."

Greater Manchester Police -Credit:Manchester Evening News
Greater Manchester Police -Credit:Manchester Evening News

Police described the men as Bangladeshi - they spoke the victim's language - and approximately 25-30 years old. The were wearing T-shirts and were seen drinking alcohol from bottles.

Detective Inspector Emma Hulston said: "This awful attack on an elderly man simply walking down the street is a disturbing act that we are fully investigating.

"The victim, who suffered serious injuries during the incident, endured a terrifying ordeal in which he was taken from close to his home, before being left with torn clothes in the middle of a dark road in unfamiliar surroundings, and with no means of communication. We are fortunate we are not talking about a potentially more serious or even fatal outcome.

"Our officers are currently investigating all circumstances of this incident and I would urge anyone with any appropriate information to please come forward. This includes any relevant CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage."

Call the incident room on 0161 856 3635 or GMP via 101 or gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3165 of 15/09/24. Crimestoppers is also available on 0800 555 111.