A 54-YEAR-OLD woman was bound, gagged, beaten and had her hair hacked off in a horrifying attack just yards from her home.

The victim was walking to her car, parked near Mansard Court, Brownsea Road in Sandbanks, when she was attacked by two men, whom police believe knew her.

They dragged her to a secluded area, bound her eyes and mouth, then kicked and punched her in the head and body, before cutting her long hair. The woman was treated in Poole Hospital for cuts and bruises, and later found her handbag had been stolen.

Detective Constable Nettie McCaig, of Poole CID, described the assault as "a terrifying attack". They have just released details of the incident, which happened on Tuesday, December 19, at about 7am, DC McCaig said: "The victim's green Peugeot car was parked on a small forecourt near to Mansard Court - and it was as she walked towards it that the two men made their move. They dragged their victim to the secluded edge of the forecourt and carried out the attack.

"It's vital that I hear from witnesses and anyone else with any other information about the incident, or about those responsible."

Police want to hear from witnesses who saw someone acting suspiciously in the Brownsea Road area that morning, or saw suspect vehicles in the area during the weeks leading up to the assault.

"It may be that someone saw something and didn't realise that it was important at the time," added DC McCaig.

The news of the assault comes after a woman was tied up and robbed at gunpoint at her home in nearby Panorama Road, just days earlier. Police are not linking the two incidents.

  • Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police on 01202 22 22 22 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.