Elderly Kenton woman in coma after attack

JON HOUZET

A CASE of attempted murder is being investigated following an alleged attack on an 87-year-old woman in Kenton-on-Sea last month.

Two youths, aged 13 and 15, were arrested in connection with the incident and made an appearance in court, but have been released into their parents' custody, said police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender.

Kenton resident Ray Holcroft alerted TotT to the incident. He said the victim, Annette Southey, lived alone and had apparently left her security gate open. She was found with injuries to her jaw and the back of her head.

"The victim is still in acritical condition in a Port Elizabeth hospital,” said Govender. "The extent of her injuries is not known.”

Holcroft said Southey was still in a coma.

"The motive for the attack is not known at this stage,” said Govender.

The case has been postponed to early July.

Holcroft also told TotT there had been a series of burglaries or attempted burglaries in Riversbend at Bushman's River, but Govender said there had been "no increase”.

"Sporadic incidents of housebreaking have been reported,” she said. "Housebreaking and theft (has been) a priority crime for Kenton-on-Sea over the last four years.”