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Hammer thugs snatch £3,000

Bethan Dorsett
20/11/2007

A BUSINESSMAN is offering a £1,000 reward to help catch the thugs who battered him unconscious and grabbed nearly £3,000.

Jim Brogan, owner of Newbold Tyres, was ambushed after being followed to his home in Windsor Terrace, Milnrow.

He was hit with a claw hammer and then a second thug arrived with a baseball bat.

Describing his ordeal, the 61-year-old said: "I left work just after 5.30pm on Friday and had parked my car in the garage.

"I was carrying a briefcase containing the money and about to lock up when this man came up to me, pulled out the claw hammer and began hitting me.

"I got back in the garage and tried to throw away the briefcase, but then another guy arrived with a baseball bat and began raining blows on me.

"I tried to protect myself, but the attack seemed to go on for ages.

"Eventually they left with the briefcase, but then the man with the baseball bat came back telling his colleague ‘I'll finish him off,’ and hit me again."

The two escaped as Mr Brogan began to lose consciousness. He was found by his wife, who raised the alarm.

He has since been treated for two broken fingers, along with cuts and bruises to his arm, but says he had a lucky escape.

"I am keen to put up a reward for information subject to conviction because I believe those lads could kill someone," he said.

"I had my arms up to try and stop them attacking me but if I was hit on the head by the claw hammer it would have been much worse."

Detective Sergeant Alan Brown, of Rochdale CID, said: "This was a horrendous and despicable attack.

"We would appreciate any assistance the public can give us to apprehend these men.

"They are clearly extremely dangerous."

The police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward by calling 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, for free and in confidence, on 0800 555111.