£5,000 reward offer after TV appeal

Eirlys Williams lay on her steps for 45 minutes before help came

Detectives are investigating a "very strong lead" after the stabbing of a north Wales grandmother by a knife-wielding burglar featured on BBC One's Crimewatch.

One viewer has offered a £5,000 reward for information after the reconstruction showed how Eirlys Williams was left traumatised and unable to speak after being stabbed more than 20 times.

Mrs Williams, who is in her 60s and suffers from Parkinson's disease, was stabbed in her face, chest and forearm by the man in her Old Colwyn home after she tackled him.

The reconstruction shown by Crimewatch on Tuesday prompted 39 telephone calls, a number of which offered the possible name of the attacker.

North Wales Police said a very strong lead was given by a police officer from West Yorkshire Police.

This was a callous attack on a defenceless woman who refused to let a burglar steal sentimental property from her home Detective Constable Dave Brennan

Mrs Williams discovered the burglar in her kitchen in Willow Close on the afternoon of 25 September last year, after she and her husband Ken had been in their back garden.

Courage

Detectives have commended her for the courage she showed in confronting the intruder.

When Mrs Williams tried to grab him, he began to slash her with the knife but she continued to struggle with him until they both spilled out through the front door of the house.

The man escaped, leaving Mrs Williams covered with stab wounds and lying on the steps of her bungalow for almost 45 minutes before her cries for help were heard.

Detective Constable Dave Brennan, of North Wales Police, said: " This was a callous attack on a defenceless woman who refused to let a burglar steal sentimental property from her home.

Mrs Williams states the actor playing the burglar looks similar to the culprit

Distinctive medals

"I cannot overemphasise how brave her actions were under the circumstances".

Despite her efforts, the burglar stole distinctive medals, one of which was Mr Williams' Malaysian Star, an engraved watch and a moneybox shaped as a postbox.

Mrs Williams, who has been left housebound since the attack, was treated for her injuries at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan.

The attacker was white, aged about 20, of slim build and about 5 ft 10 in (1.77 metres).

He was clean-shaven, described as scruffy, wearing a black baseball cap, a dark long-sleeved sweatshirt, dark jeans and was carrying a grey bag.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimewatch on 01492 510990.