A YOUNG couple have vowed not to be driven out of their pub following a terrifying attack by masked raiders.
The landlord and landlady of the Oddfellows Arms, on Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, Lee Moore, 23, and Jerri-Lee Fenton, 24, were left badly shaken by the early-hours raid.
During their ordeal:
- Lee was kicked and punched until he was unconscious.
- Jerri-Lee was dragged naked downstairs by her hair and forced to hand over cash.
- And her son Johnboy, six, was left traumatised after walking in on the drama. He has since been prescribed medication because he keeps waking up screaming.
The attack came less than three weeks after the couple took over the pub.
They were woken shortly after 4.30am last Friday by a noise in the hall and assumed Johnboy was getting up to go to the toilet.
After calling out to ask if he was all right and receiving no reply, Lee got up to investigate wrapped in a duvet.
He was then confronted by a man bursting through the bathroom window wearing a balaclava.
He said: "As soon as I saw the man I just thought ‘Oh God’ and launched at him. I tried to hit out at him but I was caught by surprise.
"Jerri got up after hearing the struggle and tried to stop what was happening but he just punched her in the face and continued kicking and punching me until I was unconscious.
"He then grabbed Jerri by the hair, pressed a screwdriver to her neck and tried to push her downstairs.
"At that point Johnboy woke up and came to his door and Jerri, who was naked, had to tell him to go back to bed and listen to his MP3 player."
After being forced downstairs Jerri, who was not allowed to get dressed, was made to hand over the contents of the till as well as all the money in her handbag, which is believed to be more than £750.
The couple, who opened the pub on Friday straight after the incident, have vowed not to let it force them out.
Lee said: "We have all been struggling to sleep since it happened. It has really affected Johnboy, who has been given medicine by the doctor because he kept waking up screaming.
"But I am sure we will all feel much better when we have settled in properly and fitted security bars to the bathroom window. We definitely won’t let this drive us out."
Detective Inspector Stephen Dowson, from Accrington CID, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the couple involved but luckily the injuries they received are not as serious as they could have been.
"Inquiries are still continuing. I have no doubt someone will have vital information about these offenders and I urge them to call the police on 353742 or Crimestoppers, anon-ymously, on 0800 555 111."
