Pensioner beaten for his shotguns

Billy Campbell said intruders threatened to kill his father during the attack

A Newry pensioner who was attacked with hammers during a robbery at his home has said he thought he was going to be killed.

Jimmy Campbell, 74, was beaten by two men who tied him up before stealing a number of legally held shotguns from his Killeavy Road home last Friday.

Mr Campbell said they tricked him into opening the door by shouting his name and pretending one of them was injured.

"I opened the door and the hammer came down on my face," he said.

"Then he was on top of me in the hall hammering away at me."

Mr Campbell's son, Billy, said his father was a "very strong, resilient man" who tried to fight back against his attackers.

"With his outdoor activities, the shooting and fishing, he keeps himself very fit," he said.

Security

However, he said the pensioner was forced to hand over the keys to his gun cabinet when the men threatened to take his life.

After the attack, Mr Campbell was able to untie himself, call the police and give a full description of the intruders to officers.

He was treated in Daisy Hill Hospital for his injuries.

Mr Campbell said his father was security-conscious and kept his guns in separate parts.

He said: "A shotgun is in three parts and the thieves, thugs, or whatever you want to call them have stolen two parts out of three.

"The third part is being retained by the police, so they have guns that are useless.

"It just shows you the intellect of the people that were there on the scene."