“IF they didn’t find the money they did, they would have killed us.”

Carmela Carelli this morning broke her silence on the vicious and merciless onslaught she and her husband faced after four raiders broke into their home.

Mrs Carelli and her husband, Vitantonio, were sitting down to their evening meal on Sunday, December 7 when, at approximately 6pm, four masked men came through their unlocked door.

“They could’ve killed us, definitely,” the pensioner said.

“As soon as they came in one came and grabbed me straight away. They didn’t even say any words, they came in and got me in two steps.

“They were rushing and grabbing me; kept giving me the fist. I have bruises all over the place.

“We were just sitting down to have dinner and they came in with no warning.

“That second, they were just coming in.”

The couple suffered serious injuries in the attack, which only stopped when the offenders had found what she said was around £2,000 in cash upstairs.

Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the four men responsible for the Cheney Manor Road incident.

The attackers have all been described as being black and in their early 20s. They were all wearing dark clothing.

Roger Critchell, director of operations for Crimestoppers, said: “The level of violence used on the elderly couple in this attack was quite horrific and so excessive that it is vital these men are caught before anyone else falls victim.

“We urge anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to call Crimestoppers anonymously.

“Our phone line and anonymous online form are accessible 24 hours a day. You have nothing to fear by contacting us.

“Your identity will not be revealed. We don’t record or trace calls and we can’t track information given online.”

If you have any information on this crime then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org