A Bromley pensioner who was beaten in his bed has vowed not to let it change his life.

James Chaplin, 75, was asleep at his home in Southlands Road when he was woken up by a crash last Monday (February 16).

Two men smashed the glass in his back door and entered his house.

Father-of-one Mr Chaplin said: "A couple of yobbos broke in the back UPVC door.

"I sort of woke up a bit by the commotion; I didn't even get out of bed when I was hit twice. I've got a lovely black eye.

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His boarded up door

"As I sat up in bed one of them shouted: ‘There's someone in here!’"

"I didn't see them; by the time I sat up he just punched me after seeing someone in the room.

"They just wanted to get out the house, but also to disable me from catching them.

"I didn't have time to be scared or to think, I was semi-conscious from waking up then it was bang, bang and I was laid out."

He says they spoke with a south London accent but fled without taking anything.

The retired concrete draftsman added: "They were as surprised as I was!

"I don't think they expected anyone to be in.

"It was probably a couple of young lads looking for drug money."

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Mr Chaplin after the attack

Coming to fairly quickly he heard them trying to make their escape.

Mr Chaplin said: "They were desperately trying to get out the front door, but it was locked so they left out the back through the glass."

Following the attack he called the police - who boarded up his door - and a neighbour came to help.

He was taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital where he had an MRI and X-Ray of his eye.

It revealed his eye socket may be damaged, and he may need further tests.

MORE TOP STORIES He added: "I'm quite old; they could have just run out and left me. They didn't have to assault me.

"I hope they get caught and are brought to justice.

"I might improve security and add a mortis lock but I'm not afraid though, blimey!

"I'll just carry on."

A spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.

Acting Detective Sergeant Ade Akinkunle, from Bromley's Burglary Squad said: "This was a violent assault on an elderly man in his home.

"We would like to hear from anybody who was in that area around that time and may have seen two men acting suspiciously.

"Unfortunately, the victim wasn't able to get a good look at the suspects, but we're keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have information that could help with our enquiries."

Anyone with information should call Bromley CID via 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.