A man was badly beaten by a gang during a botched robbery at his elderly mother's home in Co Down, police said today.
A number of masked men entered the house in the Huntley Road area of Banbridge, tied the pensioner to a chair and demanded money.
But when her son disturbed the gang he was dragged outside and hit with what is believed to have been heavy sticks or metal bars.
He was left with severe fractures to the leg, bruising and facial injuries.
A PSNI spokesman said: "The gang then ransacked the house but left with nothing."
Both the elderly woman and her son were taken to hospital following the aggravated burglary, which happened at about 9.30pm yesterday.
The robbery is the latest in a spate of incidents in Counties Antrim, Armagh and Down which have targeted the elderly.
Last month the PSNI announced it had set up a special investigation team to bring the criminal gangs to justice.
PA