A BLIND and deaf pensioner has lost his fight for life, 13 days after being brutally attacked by a burglar -- believed to be just 14-years-old.

Albert Hazzleton, aged 92, was punched in the forehead and left on his hands and knees in the front garden of his home after confronting the young intruder. And today his angry niece, Marlene Williams, bitterly condemned the attacker, claiming: "If this had not happened uncle Albert would still be alive today." The elderly man was rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital for emergency treatment having suffered a suspected heart attack following the cowardly assault nearly two weeks ago.

But today detectives, who are still hunting the vicious young house-breaker, confirmed the pensioner had died of natural causes in hospital yesterday afternoon.

Det Chief Insp Dave Law who is leading the police probe said: "It's anyone's guess as to just how long he could have lived if he had not been subjected to this terrifying ordeal.

"We cannot prove a causal link between the incident and Mr Hazzleton's death. He did have an existing heart condition."

The brave pensioner had grappled with the intruder, after spotting the burglar as he went to put the bin out at his Lindrick Terrace home in Deane at 2.30pm on Good Friday.

Neighbours told the BEN they had earlier spotted a youth entering Mr Hazzleton's home "without a care in the world".

The bachelor, who had worked at Booths Steel Works, was set upon just 15 minutes before a home help was scheduled to make a visit.

Mr Hazzleton, whose poor eyesight meant he could not serve in the armed services during the war, had moved to his Lindrick Terrace home in Deane 15 years ago.

The hard-working pensioner, who retired from his job at the age of 66, had ridden to Booths Steel Works every day on his bike to start his shift.

Today, as his family tried to come to terms with his death, his niece Mrs Williams of The Haulgh added: "He was still active enough for his age and although every now and again he would be poorly it was nothing serious. "If this had not happened when it did Uncle Albert would still be pottering about in his garden, trying to kill the weeds which were the bane of his life.

"Uncle Albert was not a wealthy man. He lived from week to week but was never in debt and never owed anyone a farthing.

"If that lad had asked him for money he would have said 'you can do my garden for a fiver' and then given him £10.

"If the lad who did this has got any conscience then even if he doesn't give himself up then at least he won't steal from anyone again."

Today DCI Law urged other youngsters in the Deane area to help catch the thug who had punched the pensioner.

He said: "I'm making a direct appeal to lads and girls in Deane to tell us who did this.

"Burglary is one thing but attacking a blind, deaf and frail old man is another altogether. Don't let this happen again and if anyone has information they should contact us as soon as possible."

Just a day after the Easter attack neighbours confirmed they had now trained CCTV cameras onto other elderly residents' homes in the area in a desperate bid to protect them.

Detectives have already interviewed one youth in connection with the attack but the teenager was released without charge.

The attacker is described as white, aged 14 to 15 and was seen running off towards Peace Street.

Anyone with information should contact Bolton Central CID on 0161 856 5640 or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555111.