29 October 2008

Blind Victim 'Heart Scared'

The sister of two blind brothers who were robbed of a few pounds on Sunday night has spoken of how their ordeal continued into the next day.

One of the injured pair had to be attended by ambulance just hours after their initial treatment for the injuries received in the brutal assault in their own homes. Stephen Sloan, (42) who suffers from a congenital eye condition, complained of a pains in his chest and that he felt he needed to be sick.

His sister, Vera Campbell, who lives nearby - and who was the one who raised the alarm on Sunday evening after the robbery - called an ambulance for fear that it might have been a heart attack brought on by the events of Monday night.

George (38) and Stephen Sloan were robbed and beaten by thieves who made off with a paltry sum of £20.

Two men forced their way into the home on Glenville Parade, in Whiteabbey on Sunday night and demanded money before beating the brothers with sticks.

George suffered a broken arm as a result of the attack and Stephen sustained bruising to his head and body.

The burglars ransacked the property, before escaping with a sum of cash.

Police said afterwards that the brothers, who were treated in hospital, were "extremely shaken" by their ordeal.

Mrs Campbell said yesterday: "I thought it sounded like it could be a heart attack. The doctors said it was down to his medication but I think it is a combination of everything that has happened to him."

Mrs Campbell said that she was even afraid to leave her other brother George alone in the house while she went with Stephen to the hospital, such is the terror left behind by the vicious attack.

See: Sister Tells Of Anguish Over Blind Men's Robbery

(BMcC)