Elderly couple recovering from 'despicable' attack

An elderly New Plymouth couple are recovering at home after being brutally attacked in their home on Saturday night.

A New Plymouth police spokesman said the couple were at home in their Wallath Road flat about 10pm when a youth broke in and assaulted them with a weapon.

The 74-year-old man and his 65-year-old wife suffered severe bruising and lacerations and spent Saturday night in Taranaki Base Hospital. They were released yesterday.

The attack was vicious, despicable and unprovoked, the spokesman said.

The youth was described as Caucasian, in his late teens, tall and thin, with brown wavy hair. He was wearing dark clothing.

- NZPA