Detectives are appealing for information following a violent assault on a 90-year-old woman in Brent that has left her hospitalised with serious injuries.

Iris Warner was discovered by her son at around 12:45hrs on Monday, 4 June in her house where she has lived for decades in Brampton Road, NW9. She had been severely beaten and was slipping in and out of consciousness. London Ambulance Service were called and Iris was immediately rushed to hospital where she currently remains.

At first Iris was deemed to be in a critical condition and her life hung in the balance. Although her condition has improved, she remains seriously ill. She has also recovered consciousness but requires ongoing and intensive treatment.

Jeffrey Warner, 60, who found Iris, and his sister Lesley Tranter, in her 50s, have today (Friday, 8 June) released shocking photos of their mother in her hospital bed, which reveal the terrible bruising she has been left with all over her face and down the entire length of her body. The family hope that the images will prompt the public to come forward with information that will help police catch her attacker.

Jeffrey said in a statement: “We are shocked and appalled at the violence used against our mother Iris, better known as Anne to her friends and family – a defenceless 90-year-old-woman. It has left us feeling stunned and sickened. We appeal for anyone with information that could assist police in their investigation to come forward. The person responsible must be brought to justice.”

Her family said Iris is highly independent and uses the bus to travel to do her regular shops at nearby supermarkets. She also visits the local newsagent every day, and is particularly fond of doing crosswords.

Officers believe Iris was attacked at some point between midday on Saturday, 2 June and midday on Monday, 4 June. As Iris has been unable to provide a definitive account of events, police cannot be more specific at this time.

Iris has told officers that she does remember being woken up in bed by a man standing over her who she believes struck her in the face multiple times with some kind of instrument. However, she cannot provide any further description of her assailant.

The bedroom had been left in a messy manner indicating the man had conducted a hurried search for items but at this time it has not been established if anything was stolen.

While such crimes are statistically very rare, police in Brent have acted quickly to provide extra patrols in the vicinity of Brampton Road in order to reassure the public – and are urging residents to remain aware, but not alarmed.

Detective Inspector Saj Hussain, from Brent CID, said: “This was a horrific attack carried out on a very vulnerable elderly woman in her own home, and must have been absolutely terrifying for Iris. She has various medical complications on top of the injuries sustained in the assault that are likely to keep her in hospital for a very long time.

“Her family are desperate for any information from the public that could help us catch this man. We would like the public to think back to last weekend into Monday 4, June about what they might have seen in the Brampton Road area.

“Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in that location between midday on Saturday and midday on Monday, or did you see Iris herself at any point during this time in the area? It is important not to dismiss any information you might have as unimportant – it could prove vital to our investigation.

“Please contact us as soon as possible if you know anything about this appalling crime or the person who may have committed it. Any information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

“Finally, I’d like to remind the public that crimes of this nature are incredibly rare, so we do not want the public to be alarmed. It always pays to be vigilant about anyone acting suspiciously that you see and to ensure that your home is as secure as you can make it. There is comprehensive advice on the Met Police website with a checklist and tips on what steps to take to help protect your home.”

Anyone with information can contact Brent CID on 07747 476161. Alternatively call police via 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting ref: CAD 3347/4June. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.