Police have issued CCTV images of a female suspect they want to question in connection to a vicious attack on the widow of film director Michael Winner.
Geraldine Winner, 77, sustained serious head wounds and a broken finger after a woman broke into her £4m penthouse apartment in west London in October and assaulted her.
Following the attack, Winner described how she tried to fight off the intruder with a kettle before being struck with an iron bar. The attacker tied up her hands and feet and she was blindfolded while her attacker threatened to kill her.
The CCTV footage, issued by detectives from Westminster, reveals the female suspect entering the block of flats where Winner lives just after 7pm on 9 October and captures her leaving six hours later at 1am.
The images reveal a white woman, believed to be in her 30s, wearing a dark floppy hat walking casually along Kensington high street at 1.42am on 10 October. She is carrying a large bag over her shoulder and a small rucksack on her back.
Winner was attacked when, at around 10pm, she opened her flat door in Kensington to put some rubbish out. She was assaulted with a weapon by a woman who forced herself into her home.
The suspect then stole a quantity of jewellery including a heart-shaped diamond pendant, cash and a painting of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice by Franz Richard Unterberger. The suspect left the flat leaving Winner tied up and blindfolded on her kitchen floor.
Detectives believe that the stolen pendant and painting were of particular interest to the thief, and would like to appeal for any information about them or their whereabouts.
Michael Winner married Geraldine Lynton-Edwards, a long-time companion, in 2011. He died of liver cancer two years ago. She has two sons from previous marriages.
DCI Jane Corrigan, from Westminster CID, said: “Mrs Winner was subjected to an extremely violent attack in her own home by a female suspect. I have never seen an attack of this nature committed by a lone female throughout my policing career.
“The suspect was very specific in terms of the items she was looking for and the motive is still being investigated.
“The suspect had clearly planned the attack and may have been in the area days or weeks before. We believe she was wearing a wig at the time of the assault. I would ask the public to call us if they saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area before the attack, matching the description of the female in the CCTV.
Winner, who is extremely shaken by the attack and now uncomfortable staying at home, said: “They can take my possessions but they cannot take my memories.”
Detectives have made an appeal on the BBC Crimewatch programme and have released CCTV footage of a woman they wish to speak to in connection with the attack at Winner’s home.
A £10,000 reward for any information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for this aggravated burglary is on offer.
