Appeal after violent attack in Inverness garden

Police have issued an appeal for information after a man was attacked as he slept.

Lenny Foster (57), who lives in a caravan in Springfield Gardens, Inverness, was woken last Tuesday at 6.15am by a man in a balaclava wielding a metal bar.

“This is one of the most frightening things that has ever happened to to me,” he said.

“I was in my bed and I heard someone banging at my door and then a rock or something being thrown through my window.

“I had been sound asleep and I wrapped myself in my duvet as I had nothing to help protect me.

“It was a good job I had it round my head, otherwise things could have been very serious.

“The man opened the door of my caravan bedroom and started battering me with what felt like a mental pole.

“I pushed him back and his balaclava came off his face a little bit, but I cannot really describe him. He was tall and well built.”

Mr Foster says the way he was attacked makes him think it was not a random act, though he could not give any explanation as to why he was targeted.

He chased after the intruder and added: “He got into a white Berlingo-type van with roof bars on the top.

“Another person was driving. It was a 55 plate.

“It was an unusual van, so hopefully someone will recognise the description.”

He said the attack had left him and his family afraid that somethingsimilar could happen again and appealed for anyone with information to contact the police, either directly or through the anonymous Crimestoppers service on 0800 555111.

A police spokeswoman said: “Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”