Robber 'singled out' disabled man

The police have said they believe a Londonderry man with learning disabilities was deliberately targeted in his home by a robber.

The 59-year-old man was confronted by a masked man with a handgun when he answered a knock on his door in the village of Bready on Wednesday night.

The robber pushed him inside and bound and gagged him up before searching the house and stealing a small sum of money.

After an hour, the victim managed to free himself and went to a neighbour's home to get help.

'Local knowledge'

Police Inspector Norman Hamill said he believed the man was targeted deliberately.

"There was no doubt that this man had a dreadful ordeal," he said.

"Detectives were shocked because clearly he seems to have been singled out, so there must have been a degree of local knowledge by whoever carried this out.

"We have had crimes in recent days where elderly people living alone have been targeted by criminals, but this is certainly one of the worst cases of its type."

A major police operation swung into action with police stopping and questioning motorists on their way into the village.

Detective Sergeant Nick McCaw said there had been a tremendous response from people.

"The local community are outraged at this senseless attack on this elderly gentlemen.

"Police at Strabane are appealing for any motorists who were on the main Londonderry to Strabane Road at Bready who noticed anybody or motor vehicle to contact us."