Woman, 80, pictured as police hunt for attacker who deliberately set her on fire

Detailed summary

At 12.47pm on Monday November 9, a call was made to police reporting that a woman had been found on fire in a first-floor communal area of a block of flats in Caractacus Cottage…

Detectives investigating the attempted murder of 80-year-old Brenda Raymond are urging the public to help with their investigation in the hope that someone will come forward with information about what happened to her.

At 12.47pm on Monday November 9, a call was made to police reporting that a woman had been found on fire in a first-floor communal area of a block of flats in Caractacus Cottage View. She sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment where she remains in a critical condition.

Detectives currently believe that Brenda was attacked as she returned home and that an accelerant may have been used before she was deliberately set on fire. Evidence recovered at the scene has also indicated that a flammable liquid may have been poured through the letterbox of another property in the area.

Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Major Crime Unit, said: “This was an appalling and deeply distressing attack on an elderly woman who suffered horrific injuries after being set alight outside her own home.

“Our thoughts very much remain with Brenda and her family as we continue to do everything we can to find out what happened and who is responsible. Her family are understandably distraught and have taken the step of releasing her name and photograph to help jog people’s memories around this distressing and highly unusual incident.

“Someone out there knows something. You may have witnessed suspicious activity, heard a conversation, noticed unusual behaviour, or captured something on CCTV or dash cam footage without realising its significance. Please do not assume that what you know is too small or unimportant to tell us about. It could be a seemingly insignificant piece of information that provides investigators with the breakthrough they need.

“If you know anything about what happened to Brenda or think you may have information that could assist our enquiries, please come forward.

He added: “The circumstances surrounding Brenda’s injuries…

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