Pensioner dies after burglary

Pensioner dies after burglary

An 81-year-old woman has died after being attacked in her home during a burglary.

Police have launched a murder inquiry following the death of Hilda Ashdown at 0630 GMT on Tuesday.

Two men pushed their way in through the front door of the pensioner's flat in Monclar Road, on the Champion Hill Estate, near Denmark Hill, in Peckham, south London, on 15 March.

They searched the flat and when Ms Ashdown attempted to resist they punched her in the face.

She was admitted to Kings College Hospital and released the same day.

But she continued to feel unwell and was readmitted to hospital, where she died several days later.

'Disgusting attack'

Ms Ashdown had left the front door of her flat open to get rid of cooking smells and as she went to close it the two men barged in.

A post-mortem examination at Greenwich Mortuary on Wednesday revealed she died as a result of the injuries she sustained from the attack.

Ms Ashdown's handbag was found in Ferndene Road, in Herne Hill, on the other side of Denmark Hill.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Redmond of the Metropolitan Police Serious Crimes Directorate South appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: "It was the beginning of the warm spell of weather we are enjoying and in a residential area so there would have been lots of people around.

Elderly reassured

"This was a disgusting attack on a 81-year-old woman in her own home.

"Hilda Ashdown has died prematurely for the sake of a few pounds cash.

"I'd like to reassure Peckham residents, particularly elderly people, that we are working as hard as we can to arrest those responsible."

The men were black, aged about 26, small build, around 5ft 8in and wore dark clothing.