'We could have been visiting a mortuary today' — family shocked by terrifying attack on elderly woman in her Hilltown home
A Dundee grandmother was left in fear for her life when a violent intruder barged into her home on Saturday night.
Mrs Henderson's face shows signs of bruising after the terrifying attack.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 19.09.11
- Published online : 19.09.11 @ 10.25am
Cathie Henderson (84) was repeatedly punched in the head during the terrifying attack, which lasted around 30 minutes and left her badly bruised and shaken.
The ordeal began at around 9.15 when a man described as being over six feet tall and wearing a hooded top forced his way into the Hilltown property on Stirling Street after she answered the door.
Reliving the harrowing events which followed, Mrs Henderson told The Courier: "I was getting ready for bed when the door went and I thought it might be my grandson. When I opened a man walked past me — he didn't say a word.
"I said to him: 'Who are you?' But he said nothing. He was wearing a hoodie over his face so I couldn't see who it was. I tried to pull his hood down but he turned and grabbed me by the throat and threw me to the floor.
"He started to punch me in the face and that went on for minutes. I said to him: 'You are going to break my jaw.' I was terrified he might have a knife.
"Eventually I said to him: 'You've given me enough,' to try to make him stop. He then said: 'Where do you keep your money?'
"I thought if I don't tell him he might kill me so I told him where it was. He took it and then walked out the door and left."
As her attacker fled with £100 Mrs Henderson dashed to lock the front door and called her daughter to tell her what had happened.
Sandra Adam, who spent Sunday comforting her mother at home, said she was in shock when she received the call and quickly phoned the police.
"We are the lucky ones," she said. "We could have been visiting a mortuary today."
Also at Mrs Henderson's home on Sunday was her son Peter Henderson (52) who is angry at the city council for not installing street lighting on the path outside the home that the attacker used to get away.
"This makes you think how low can someone go," said Mr Henderson.
Police have launched a major inquiry into the shocking attack, including door-to-door inquiries. Officers returned to the scene on Sunday to carry out forensic testing, which included dusting for fingerprints and taking the dressing gown Mrs Henderson was wearing for analysis.
Detective Sergeant Marc Lorente said, "This is a particularly heinous crime. Assaulting an elderly woman in her own home is unforgivable and any right-minded person would be disgusted by it."
Dundee's depute lord provost Ian Borthwick, who lives in a nearby street and has long campaigned for the elderly, described the assault as "cowardly and despicable."
"Anyone who perpetrates such a vile act can only be described as vermin," said Mr Borthwick, who was an officer for Age Concern Scotland for 50 years. "I would urge any member of the public who can assist the police in their inquiries to do so.
"The sooner that this individual is brought to the court the better."
The Strathmartine councillor said such an act of violence often goes on to inflict a tremendous mental scar, especially among the elderly and infirm.
"It is absolutely appalling that someone has chosen to target the vulnerable in society — it really is very upsetting," he continued. "There is quite a number of old people in the area and unfortunately this sort of incident does take place across the city.
"Quite often these type of attacks are drug induced," Mr Borthwick added.
Police patrols in the area have been stepped up in the wake of the attack. Anyone with information about the assault on Mrs Henderson which may help inquiries should get in touch with the police on 0300 111 2222 or speak to any officer.
12.25pm - 19.09.2011 Cory Douglas Campbell - Maryfield, Scotland Report This
Dundee say a prayer 4 Cathie. These attacks make me seethe with rancorous anger.The City Centre area is fast becoming an easy target for scum.We need Zero Tolerance for those drinking/drugging & gang banging on the streets. More cash for police to be patrolling the streets instead of clubs is a must
10.46pm - 19.09.2011 Dek - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Sadly, here lives the lie of those politicians who boast that crime is manageable, even if it's dressed up as overall crime levels are falling.
11.35pm - 19.09.2011 Donna Green nee henderson - Burnley, England Report This
This is my Aunty Cathie. She is my late dad's sister in law. I haven't seen her for many years because we moved to England when I was a teenager but I remember Auntie Cathie as one of the sweetest and most gentle people I have ever known. The words I have are not fit for publication xx Auntie Cath
11.00am - 20.09.2011 concerned - Dundee, Scotland Report This
this guy must be caught and brought to book FAST, this is a crime against a frail old woman, I have no words to describe how low this person is, and would like to wish Cathie a full recovery, and to say we are all thinking of you.
04.27am - 21.09.2011 isabella burns - dundee, scotland Report This
to let you know what kinda woman cathie was . she was like a mother to all our family when we were younger , this person needs caught an jailed for a very long time ...............she is a wonderful woman .i have great fond memories as we played at her house when we were children , burns family xx
08.24am - 21.09.2011 Ballumbie Ryan - Dundee, UK Report This
I don't know if this is drug related however, rather than tolerating junkies why don't the authorities force them to tell who their dealer is otherwise they will be locked up with no access to methadone etc. It seems that junkies are given priority over people like this poor woman.
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