Popular radio announcer, Beverly Loraine, attacked by intruder in her Gippsland home
A WELL-LOVED grandmother should be on air hosting her weekly radio program. Instead she is in hospital recovering after a vicious attack by a masked intruder.
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A GIPPSLAND grandma was brutally attacked while lying in bed at her home this morning, hours before her weekly radio gig.
Beverly Loraine, 83, was sleeping when she was startled by the intruder in her Morwell home about 6.30am home.
The masked intruder, who entered the Princes Dve through an open door, demanded cash from the grandmother.
Despite telling the man where her bag was, she was punched “a number of times” in the face and body while lying defenceless in bed.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said paramedics treated the woman at the scene, for serious hand and face injuries.
Ms Loraine, a well-loved community member, should be on air hosting her weekly 12 — 3pm radio program Forever Classic/Gippsland Showcase on Gippsland FM 104.7.
Instead she is in La Trobe Regional hospital recovering from the attack.
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A major manhunt is underway to find the heartless thug.
The victim told police he was wearing gloves and a mask that covered his eyes.
Ms Loraine has volunteered for the community radio station since 2001.
She was previously a board member and program director for the station.
She is also a doll curator and restorer, and owned a Morwell tourist attraction named Bev’s Wonder World of Dolls which featured dolls from the late 1800s to 1990s.
Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Chris Bortignon said: “It’s a terrible incident … something no one should go through let alone an 83-year-old woman.”
Det Sen Con described her injuries as “fairly substantial.”
“She’s fairly shaken up,” he said.
Investigators believe the masked man fled the home on foot.
The motive of the attack is unknown.
It is understood her family live in the community and are currently at her bedside.
Investigators are at the scene and have been searching bushes near the victim’s home.
She raised the alarm by running to a neighbour’s home for help.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.