Dog walker in critical condition after early morning assault

Anita Rose was found lying unconscious with serious head injuries last Wednesday in Brantham, Suffolk

A female dog walker has been left in a critical condition after she was discovered with serious head injuries on a country path.
A male cyclist found Anita Rose, 57, lying unconscious with serious head injuries at 6.25am last Wednesday on the track off Rectory Lane, Brantham, Suffolk.
Ms Rose’s iPhone and a pink zip up jacket, which she had earlier been wearing, were missing and her springer spaniel dog called Bruce was unharmed beside her.
Police arrested a 45-year-old man from the Ipswich area, who is thought to have been unknown to her, at around 1pm on Saturday on suspicion of attempted murder.
He is being quizzed at the Police Investigation Centre in Martlesham near Ipswich.
Suffolk Police said Ms Rose, who is believed to live in Brantham, was on her regular early morning walk when she was allegedly attacked between a railway track and a sewage farm.
She was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where she remains in a critical condition.
A Suffolk Police statement said: “It is not believed that the suspect is known to the victim at this time. Specialist officers are supporting Anita’s family and keeping them updated on the investigation.”
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown added: “We are still looking to establish the exact circumstances leading to this incident, but our initial enquiries are underway, and these will continue over the weekend.
“We continue to be extremely grateful for the support the community and the media have given us so far. This assistance we receive is absolutely key.
“A presence of officers is likely to continue in the area for the next few days with reassurance patrols.
“These officers are available to speak to concerned members of the community. These officers will also be conducting house-to-house enquiries, searching through CCTV footage and continuing ongoing forensic work.
“This is a fast-moving investigation, and we are appealing to the local community for any further information which may aid this investigation.”
Ms Rose was captured on a doorbell camera leaving her home at 5am, wearing her distinctive pink jacket, possibly from outdoor clothing brand Regatta.
Ms Rose’s children, who are at her hospital bedside, said in a statement: “Mum is a local woman who walked her beloved dog every day.
“As a family, we are devastated and thank the public for their support so far. If anyone has any information, please come forward and speak to the police.”
Alastair McCraw, who represents Brantham on Babergh District Council, said: “Obviously, everybody in the village is shocked by this and Brantham will wish the victim well and hope for a full recovery.”
Simon Harley, a local councillor on Suffolk County Council, added: “I am of course shocked and saddened by this incident and my thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family.
“Brantham is normally such a safe and peaceful place with amazing people, and I am sure this incident is a one-off, but I would urge people to take sensible precautions at this time.”
The spot where Ms Rose was allegedly attacked is close to the River Stour has a large number of tracks which are popular with dog walkers from the village of Brantham and further afield.
Tractor driver Bradley James, 28, said: “The woman was found at a point where the path narrows and is a little overgrown.
“You have the railway embankment and train tracks on one side and the sewage works in a big gated area on the other. It is quite hidden away by trees while other parts of the track are quite open beside fields. It is almost like a blind spot.
“We do not know who the lady is. It is quite tragic. You do not hear of this sort of thing happening around here.
“It has caused a lot of upset locally and made a lot of people nervous about coming down here with their dogs.
“My mum regularly walks down that track and now she says that she doesn’t want to go back there.”