Durham Police are appealing for help to find a man and woman thought to have forced their way into the home of an elderly man in the early hours of Friday morning.
Police said the suspects had forced their way into a bungalow in Barnes Road, Murton, County Durham, in the early hours before they assaulted the man who had been sleeping.
The pair stole cash and other items.
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The elderly man was taken to hospital with facial injuries. Detective Sergeant Jayne Marshall, of Peterlee CID, said: "This was a horrendous attack on an elderly man in his own home and officers are actively following all lines of enquiry to track down the perpetrators.
"If you have any information, no matter how small, I would urge you to come forward."
Anyone with information is asked to call the CID team on 0191 375 2714 and quote incident number 33 to September 9. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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