by Helen Fairley

hfairley@thekmgroup.co.uk

A pensioner was left with a broken nose and horrific cuts and bruises after burglars kicked, punched and threatened him with a knife in his own home.

Detectives are appealing for information following the attack on the 67-year-old at his house in Luckow Road, Paddock Wood at around 2.30am on Saturday, June 20.

Two men knocked at the front door and when the man open, expecting it to be his son, they pushed past him and demanded he hand over money. They kicked and punched him as they did so and picked up a knife from the kitchen work surface, using that to threaten him with.

Police described the victim as "extremely brave" after he refused to say if there was money in the house.

As the burglars were unable to find any money, they left with the man’s cigarettes.

The injured man was kept in at hospital overnight and will require further treatment at hospital in East Grinstead for his injuries which include a broken nose, cuts and bruises.

DC Neil Martin said: "The only reason for this attack that we can think of is that the two men believed there was Christmas Club money kept there. The victim was extremely brave in standing up to these two thugs and refusing to say whether there was any money in the house.

"If anyone has any information about who might be responsible for this very nasty attack I would ask them to please contact police."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on 01732 379217 (if possible quoting reference 8886) or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to leave their name. Information can also be emailed to appeals.westkent@kent.pnn.police.uk