“IF they didn’t find the money they did, they would have killed us.”

Carmela Carelli has not stopped shaking since a brutal attack which could have killed her and her husband, Vitantonio.

Four burglars entered their property in Cheney Manor Road, Rodbourne, through an unlocked front door at about 6pm on Sunday, December 7.

The couple, both in their 70s, were immediately set upon in a vicious and merciless assault with demands for the location of their safe.

The masked assailants were told there was no safe and, as they continued to beat Carmela, her husband crawled to the living room and emptied a drawer for them.

If it were not for the couple of thousand pounds they found in an upstairs bedroom, Carmela is sure the culprits would not have stopped until they were dead.

“They could’ve killed us, definitely,” she said.

“As soon as they came in, one came and grabbed me straight away. They didn’t even say any words, they came in and got me in two steps.

“They were rushing and grabbing me; kept giving me the fist. I have bruises all over the place.

“We were just sitting down to have dinner and they came in with no warning.

“That second, they were just coming in. My husband tried to put a chair against the door to stop them coming, but they just pushed him out the way.

“They pushed him, gave one punch to him as well, and then they were all in.

“My nose is broken, my teeth all still hurt because of what they have given me. I never felt anything like it.

“He [her husband] could see he was killing me with what he was doing so he took them in here and gave them some money out of a drawer, but it wasn’t enough.

“His head was a balloon. He couldn’t concentrate. They gave him a big bang on the head. If they didn’t find that [the money] it would’ve been a lot worse.

“When I was in hospital I was told all about it. I was talking to my daughter-in-law and the police, but I don’t remember any of it. All I remember asking is how my husband was.”

It has been almost two weeks since the ordeal and Carmela’s face is healing little by little, though she has carries bruises on her eyes and cheeks.

The mental scars remain, however. The front door will forever remain locked and security cameras have been installed.

Yesterday morning was Carmela’s first time in the house alone since the attack. The family have surrounded the pair and been with them ever since.

“I’m really scared. I keep the door locked,” she said. “I’m still shaking. My whole body is just shaking.

“If they didn’t find the money they did, they would have killed us.”

The Adver began a campaign to raise funds for the couple in the aftermath of the assault, which was one of the many gestures of kindness the Carellis have received.

The living room mantelpiece is adorned with cards from well-wishers.

“Beautiful. I can’t believe myself what a big response of the people. I just can’t believe myself and I thank everybody for the flowers, cards and telephone calls,” said Carmela.

“I can’t express myself, all this big support.”

Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the four men responsible for the Cheney Manor Road incident.

The attackers have been described as being black and in their early 20s. They were all wearing dark clothing.

Carmela revealed it was a friend of the family driving past the house at the time, who saw the culprits running away down Scarborough Road, with one revealing their face. It is that information which led to e-fit released by police last week. If you have any information, call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.