Knife held to throat of boy, 6, during home robbery

Four people forced entry to the house in Titford Road, Oldbury, and attacked the boy's father.

The 71-year-old was hit over the head with a hammer, stabbed and slashed across his head and neck and also suffered a broken back.

The intruders threatened to kill the boy unless the victims handed over cash and jewellery, with the robbers fleeing with an iPhone, £700 cash and a number of golden rings and bracelets.

Detective Inspector Jacqui Nicholson from West Midlands Police CID, said: “This is a shocking attack in a family home, it’s despicable that the offenders have stooped so low as to threaten a schoolboy with a knife."

The robbery happened just after 4pm on Sunday and police have confirmed that the man remains in hospital but 'his condition is said to be improving'.

A family member, who wished to stay anonymous, said the shaken pensioner was recovering in hospital.

She said: “They slashed his throat, it was a miracle he wasn't killed.

"He wears a lot of gold which is clearly while he was targeted.

"He's getting better every day."

A neighbour who rushed into the house following the attack with his wife – who carried out first aid – said there was ‘blood everywhere’.

He added: “My wife and I heard a massive commotion. A second later a woman came round knocking on my door.

"She was hysterical and said 'he's dead, he's dead'.

"We ran into the house. The victim was lying on the floor covered in blood, he had cuts and bruises everywhere.

"He was conscious but he had been slashed around the face, he had a deep gash below his chin line.

"It was miracle his throat wasn't cut as it looked pretty close.

"My wife was trying to stop the bleeding.

"Judging by the swelling on his face he'd also been punched a couple of times."

After the attack West Midlands Police arrested seven people on suspicion of attempted murder.

Three men aged 35, 36 and 38, as well as a 40-year-old woman, who were arrested at an address on Hollywell Street in Bilston, have all been bailed but will return for further questioning next month.

Meanwhile three other men, aged 37, 40 and 42, who were arrested at an address in Cottage Walk, West Bromwich, have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

One of the men bailed, 38-year-old Stewart Homer from Dudley, has been charged with assaulting a West Midlands Police custody officer and damaging a police cell, is due in court today.

Police have now released images of jewellery that was stolen during the robbery.

They include two golden sovereign rings, one with a Mercedes three-pointed star logo, a large gold bracelet, gold earrings with a Chinese lantern design, a gold chain with a cross and a gold Rado watch.

Det Insp Nicholson said: “We’re appealing for information on who was involved, the offenders do not deserve protection and I would urge anyone with information to contact us in confidence.

"We don’t need callers’ names, we just want to know who’s committed this awful crime."

A property on Hollywell Street, in Hurst Hill, has been searched as part of the investigation and officers recovered a dark blue Vauxhall Agila Expression which is believed to have been used by the offenders as they made their escape.

Detective Inspector Nicholson added: “We understand the victim was followed home from a shop in Langley High Street by offenders who saw he was carrying a large amount of cash.

“I’d also appeal for anyone who saw the offenders’ car in Titford Road or driving away from the location just after 4pm on Sunday to get in touch. They could have important information to help our enquiries."

Anyone with information can call West Midlands Police on 101 quoting log 1629 from February 10.

Callers who wish to stay anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.