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Kent Police issue e-fit after woman tied up in violent burglary at her home near Maidstone

This e-fit has been issued by detectives investigating a violent burglary where a woman was punched, cut with a knife and was left tied up for two days.

The woman in her 60s was assaulted during a terrifying 48-hour ordeal after a man called at her home asking for water on Easter Sunday.

A computer-generated image of a man police want to speak to about a burglary in Staplehurst Road, Frittenden. Picture: Kent Police
A computer-generated image of a man police want to speak to about a burglary in Staplehurst Road, Frittenden. Picture: Kent Police

The victim was in her garden at around 6pm when the suspect appeared at a fence.

He claimed he had been cycling and asked for a drink but, after being given a bottle of water, he jumped over the fence and forced the woman inside the property.

Inside, he subjected his victim to a terrifying ordeal. She was punched, cut with a knife and had a bottle of alcohol poured over her.

She was then left gagged and with her hands and feet tied. The restraints were so tight she was unable to move or summon any help.

Help only came when worried relatives called police, who arrived the following Tuesday and found her still tied up.

The incident saw a woman tied up for more than 48 hours. Picture: Stock
The incident saw a woman tied up for more than 48 hours. Picture: Stock

Last week, DCI Neil Kimber revealed the suspect fled with just under £100. He is also believed to have stolen other valuables.

The woman was found injured and dehydrated when police showed up. She was taken to hospital, where she is now recovering.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are leading the investigation and are continuing to appeal for people to contact them if they saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area.

They are also urging residents to check any CCTV or doorbell cameras for anything that may assist the investigation.

DCI Kimber added: "Our officers have been pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and we are now releasing a computer-generated image of a man we would like to speak to.

"At this stage, we are not connecting this incident to any other burglaries in the area.

"We are urging anybody who believes they know the person in the image to call our appeal line..."

"The victim suffered a traumatic ordeal and we are urging anybody who believes they know the person in the image to call our appeal line."

Last week, talking to KentOnline, he pledged: "We need to catch this man and it is my belief we will catch him."

The incident is the fourth aggravated burglary in a rural area within the last eight months.

In August last year, an armed robber stole jewellery from a woman in her home in Staplehurst Road, Marden.

In September, an elderly couple were threatened with a shotgun in their home in Chantlers Hill, Paddock Wood.

And only last month four masked men broke into a home in Staplehurst, tying up their victim before stealing jewellery.

Anybody with information should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/56590/21.

You can also contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or by using the online form.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

Read more: All the latest news in Weald

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