Gang repeatedly slapped 78-year-old woman and stole rings from her fingers in Leeds break-in

The 78-year-old was in her living room at Buller Grove, Harehills, when four men broke in and confronted her at about 6.25pm on Wednesday.

They held a screwdriver to her throat and demanded money. One of the group slapped her across the face repeatedly while the others ransacked the house looking for money.

She was repeatedly pushed back onto a chair when she tried to stand up and rings were pulled from her fingers.

The gang left with the jewellery, a small amount of cash and a bank card.

Detective Inspector Steve Greenbank, of Leeds CID, said: “These men put the victim through a terrifying ordeal which lasted about 20 minutes.

“She has been left understandably distressed at having been attacked in her own home in this way and we urgently need to identify the people responsible.

“We would like to hear from anyone who saw the suspects in the area or who has any information that could assist in tracing them. The rings that were taken are quite distinctive and we would like to hear from anyone who has been offered these items for sale.”

The robbers were white, in their late teens to early twenties and were wearing dark clothing with hoods.

The stolen rings were a gold wedding band, a gold claddagh ring, which features two hands holding a heart, and a gold ring with a large brown stone.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Constable Darren Young via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.