Phones4U tycoon John Caudwell protects family in raid

The billionaire businessman John Caudwell has told how he was hit over the head with a crowbar while trying to protect his family from burglars.

The former head of Phones4U was cut on his forehead and elbow when a group of men broke into his Staffordshire home on 1 November.

His partner Claire Johnson and a female worker were also attacked but not hurt.

A 48-year-old man from Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

Mr Caudwell said: "The brutal actions and language of the attackers will live on for some time."

He said: "On Monday evening at 8.15pm, a group broke into my home and burst into the kitchen. In attempting to defend myself and my family, I was attacked by a man with a crowbar.

"I suffered a gash to my forehead, to my elbow and damage to my other arm and my back.

Mr Caudwell's partner and a female employee were also attacked

"They took every item of jewellery that Claire and I possessed, plus some cash.

"Thankfully, nobody else was hurt physically, although no doubt the shock of the event and the brutal actions and language of the attackers will live on for some time."

Staffordshire Police said robbers wearing balaclavas and dark clothing broke into Broughton Hall near Eccleshall on Monday night then ran off across the fields.

Mr Caudwell sold his mobile phone group in 2006 and now runs Caudwell Children, a charity which provides help for disabled children.