Pensioner, 86, is attacked at Walsall home
An 86-year-old woman was today fighting for her life in hospital after being attacked in her Black Country home.
A 61-year-old man was expected to appear in court later today after being charged with assault.
The victim, named locally as Lilian Henderson, was found at the house she shares with her only son in Stephenson Avenue on Walsall's Beechdale estate.
A police cordon has been put in place around the yellow-brick end terrace, while a blue forensics tent can be seen in the back garden.
Paramedics were called to the scene at around 6.40am on Wednesday and alerted the police. Mrs Henderson had suffered serious head injuries and was airlifted to hospital.
Billy Corrigan, spokesman for West Midlands Police, said: "A 61-year-old man will appear before Walsall Magistrates Court today charged with assault.
"His appearance comes as detectives from the force's Criminal Investigation Department continue to investigate an attack on an 86-year-old woman at her home in Stephenson Avenue.
"Police were called by the ambulance service to the address at 7.20am on Wednesday where the woman had been found with serious injuries.
"Officers attended and the 61-year-old was arrested at the scene."
He said Mrs Henderson remained in a critical condition in hospital.
Residents living on the estate said they were woken by the sound of an air ambulance landing on a patch of grass outside the house.
They said Mrs Henderson was a widow and walked with the aid of a frame and had difficulty getting around.
One nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "We were woken up by the sound of the helicopter landing, it shook the house and really terrified me."
Another neighbour, who also did not wish to be named, said: "It was a shock to see the air ambulance landing.
"Everybody was wondering what had happened. We just hope Mrs Henderson is OK as we know she is very elderly."
Police have carried out door-to-door calls in the area in a bid to reassure people.
Claire Thomas, from West Midlands Ambulance Service, said paramedics had been called to reports of an elderly woman who had suffered a serious head injury.
"The elderly woman was taken to Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham," she said.
