Panache lingerie founder attacked, beaten

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SHEFFIELD, England, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Tony Power, Panache lingerie firm founder, was hospitalized in Sheffield, England, after being beaten during an attempt to steal his car, officials said.

Power, 78, was in serious condition in Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain after being attacked last week in High Hazels Park, a public park in the Darnall area of Sheffield, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported Monday.

South Yorkshire Police said Imran Khan, 30, of Darnall was charged with attempted murder and robbery in the attack on Power.

Police said they believe Power's assailant was attempting to steal his car, a luxury Bentley Continental, though while some money and Power's cellphone were taken, the car was not.

A spokesman for family-operated Panache said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Power family at this difficult and private time."

Power launched the business in 1982 and retired in 2008, the newspaper said.