A pair of battling pensioners thwarted a would-be mugger in Telford when the 70-year-old woman beat him off with her umbrella while her husband laid into him with his walking stick.
The clobbered crook was forced to flee empty-handed following the botched night-time attack in Gibbons Road, Trench, and police today praised the elderly couple for their bravery.
Telford police spokesman Chris Ammonds said the couple were walking along Gibbons Road when the would-be robber approached them from the direction of Wade Road and, without warning, attempted to steal the woman’s handbag.
He added: “The man was unsuccessful in his attempts to steal the bag because the lady fought him off with her umbrella while her husband hit him with his walking stick.
“Having been thwarted in his attempts, the man fled and ran off down an alleyway towards Furnace Lane.”
Detective Constable Colin Bell, who is investigating this incident, said: “The couple were very brave in the way they fought off the offender and I’m pleased to report they were not injured during this incident.
“However, it is fair to say that both of them are quite shaken by their ordeal.”
The man, who struck at around 10.40pm on November 5, was described as white, around 5ft 11ins tall and aged around 20. He was of medium build with short, neatly cropped, dark hair and a square jaw. He wore jeans and a black T-shirt with a white gothic design.
Anyone with information, or who has suspicions about who was involved, is asked to call police on 0300 333 3000 quoting reference number 191-N-061109.
6 Comments
Whilst I think it commendable that these two people would so staunchly defend their right to walk freely without harm I am a little concerned. Knife crime is so rife amongst muggers these days this story could easily have had a not so happy ending. Whilst it’s not nice to have your possessions taken from you they can be replaced, loved ones cannot so please, please, please think twice before springing into action.
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Oh and in the meantime I live in Trench so will be keeping my eye out for anything suspicious and I hope others will be doing the same. We all gotta work together to catch these people.
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I am surprised that this poor couple were not arrested for assault, seems that is what normally happens in cases like this. Good for them for sticking up for themselves though.
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I hope the poor mugger was not seriously hurt, I am sure the police will consider laying charges against this brutal pair for ABH or worse!!
V Ellis
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John and Victor should both be slightly ashamed of themselves for cheapening a story with misinformed or misguided tosh. In law in this country you are allowed to defend youself (including causing serious harm) as long as you use such force as is reasonable and necessary at the time. Personally I’m mainly just pleased that the couple weren’t harmed over and above understandable distress. As Suellan pointed out, it could’ve been a lot worse, and that’s the important thing to remember rather than trying to make “smart” comments.
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But the sad thing is even if tis mugger was caught he would be let of with a slap of the wrists and told not to do it again.
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