THESE are the horrific injuries caused by “cruel and callous criminals” who attacked a 95-year-old woman in her own home.

Detectives hope someone will be prompted into naming those responsible when they see the extent of the victim’s facial injuries. She also suffered a fractured pelvis.

The woman was assaulted when three young men forced their way into her home in Alderney Gardens, Wickford, through a first-floor window.

She confronted them inside and pushed her to the floor. They then ran off with a three-figure sum of cash and her house keys.

Investigating officer Det Con Tony Thomas said: “I am hoping by releasing this image of the woman’s facial injuries someone will come forward and tell me who these cruel and callous criminals are.

“She was an independent woman doing all her own housework despite being in her 90s and now because of this incident she will need to have extra help. This incident has been truly life-changing.

“It is upsetting to see the face of lovely lady battered and bruised by these men who clearly had no regard for her when they broke in to her home and assaulted her without a second thought.

“The men should be ashamed of themselves as should those who know them or live with them.”

One witness saw a black car speed off from the scene, initially without any headlights, and Det Con Thomas is keen to trace this car and its occupants to either eliminate them from his enquiries or class them as suspects.

The attackers are all described as being young men and were wearing hoodies.

They broke into the woman’s home at about 9pm on Saturday, August 24, which was over the bank holiday weekend and the night a number of areas in south Essex suffered severe flooding.

Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at Basildon police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.