WEST WICKHAM: Elderly couple attacked in their own home

A FRAIL couple heroically fended off two intruders in an incident they described as "worse than the war".

Ninety-year-old RAF veteran Sidney Riddell grappled with youths who knocked him down and tried to barge into his home in Addington Road, West Wickham.

His wife Flora, 87, who uses two walking sticks, was also knocked over but remained behind him trying to keep the boys away.

One thug had knocked on the door, claiming there was an intruder in the couple's garden. When Sidney refused to believe them he tried to force his way in but then took fright and ran away with his sidekick.

The pair have appealed to other elderly residents not to be complacent about security in their homes.

Mr Riddell said: "I just knew we had to stop them getting into the house, because if he had got in and closed the door he could have done what he wanted to us.

"Neither of us could get up and we wouldn't have stood a chance.

"I was in the RAF and I've seen a lot. But this was nasty. It was worse than the war in a way because it was in our own home."

West Wickham councillor John Gray said he was shocked at such a nasty attack and urged elderly residents to be on their guard.

"Sidney has my sympathy and respect. He is a well known local character and I am not surprised he managed to battle the intruders," he added.

Police believe a neighbour who spotted the youths could have helped frighten them when they ran away towards the park behind Addington Road.

Both were white, one aged 15, 5ft 7ins, with a chubby face wearing a light grey jacket. The other was aged about 14, 5ft 6ins and wore a navy blue jacket.

Anyone with information about the incident, on November 22 at 3.30pm, should call the police on 020 8284 8046 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

November 30, 2001 9:30

Sarah Warden