Victim locked into world of silence three months after prowlers' attack

• Ann Ingram, with her husband Sandy in hospital, where he has been treated for three months after the savage attack. Picture: PA

Sandy Ingram, 79, a prominent figure in the farming industry in North-east Scotland, sustained serious head injuries on 19 June when he went to investigate the sighting of two prowlers in the grounds of his secluded home in Aberdeenshire

His wife, Ann, 63, found her husband lying unconscious in the garden at Elrick House near Newmachar after he failed to return.

Exactly three months after the assault, Mr Ingram is continuing to be treated for his injuries at Aberdeen Royal infirmary, unable to speak or do anything for himself.

Yesterday, Mrs Ingram told how the attack had "changed their lives completely" and pleaded: "I'd urge anyone who knows anything about this to contact the police and pass on any information they have."

She added: "We still don't know what happened to Sandy, despite the best efforts of all concerned. Sandy is still in a hospital bed - he has improved slightly since he was admitted but he is still very poorly, unable to do anything for himself or speak.

"I see him every day and tell him what's happening but I'm afraid his response, even on a good day, is limited to a slight gesture or a frustrated attempt at a word or two.

"I'm sure he understands what I'm saying but he just can't get the words out. There is no doubt our lives have changed completely since he went out that night simply to find out why those men were at our house. I desperately want to be able to tell him I know what happened because I think that's what he is straining to tell me and his inability to do so is frustrating him so much.

"The sad truth is I can't help him because those who do know haven't came forward."

She said that despite previous appeals, the two men seen at their home on the night her husband was attacked had still to be identified.

Mrs Ingram added: "I can't stress enough how much I want to tell my husband that I know what happened that night. I'd urge anyone who knows anything about this to contact police and pass on any information they have."

Detectives hunting the attackers have already revealed that they are investigating a series of "suspicious" incidents in the area in the days leading up to the assault.And more than 120 kitchen and bathroom taps were stolen from the grounds of Mr Ingram's home in the ten days leading up to the night of the attack.

The occupants of a red coloured Vauxhall Astra motor car, seen being driven along the disused railway line near Newmachar on the night Mr Ingram was injured, have still to be traced.

Inspector Richie Guild, who is leading the investigation, also made a fresh appeal to the public to help the force solve what he described the attack as a "tragic event."

He declared: "At least two people know exactly what happened that night but unfortunately it would appear that until now they haven't had it in them to do the decent thing and tell us. I would like to appeal directly to these people to come forward now and tell us what happened.

"I would be very surprised if the people who were at Elrick House that night haven't told others what happened."

Det Insp Guild added: "If anyone knows anything about this incident or have suspicions about anyone they know, please get in touch. Sandy and his family have a right to know how he came by his injuries that night."

One of the two men seen in the grounds of Elrick House was described as wearing a light-coloured baseball cap, possibly green, with a darker peak.

The other was described as wearing dark clothing and had dark, almost shoulder-length, hair.