Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Thief, 12, clubs man with iron bar

Tuesday 09 April 1996 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A 61-year-old man was recovering in hospital last night being clubbed over the head with an iron bar by a 12-year-old thief.

Bob Williams, of Wombwell, Barnsley in South Yorkshire, was attacked after hearing noises in his garden on Saturday. He went outside to discover two boys, aged about 12 and 15, coming out of his garden shed.

Mr Williams, who is retired, tried to catch the older boy but was hit over the head with an iron bar by the 12-year-old, who was just 4ft 10in tall. The two boys, who had picked up the weapon in the garden, then fled.

Mr Williams suffered a severe head injury and was taken to Barnsley District General Hospital.

Sergeant Steve Boulton, of Wombwell police, said yesterday: "It's disgusting that children as young as 12 can commit these types of offences. Particularly when you bear in mind the fact that two elderly men have died this weekend after similar attacks.

"This could obviously been far more serious and this young lad could have been facing a murder charge."

Detectives were hoping to take a fuller statement from hope Mr Williams yesterday.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in