One feisty lady, plus one determined robber equals criminal court!
A strong and feisty pensioner was walking home after an enjoyable evening of bingo. Along came a thief and then there were two people who each wanted one purse. Neither one would let go, and a tug of war ensued.
Criminal Court
The lady later told police that her attacker started pulling at her purse like a dog. The vicious attack took place on a quiet street in Seaburn, in the U.K. The lady was shocked that this would happen to anyone. The criminal pulled the woman, aged 72, across the street as the pensioner continued to hold onto her bag with both hands. She was pulled to the ground twice. As the mugger tripped backwards over the curb, the strap finally broke and the violent robber ran with the purse in tow. This lady was screaming for help the whole time.
In her statement to the court, the woman said she suffered the loss of £100 and personal items. Physically, she was bruised and sustained various abrasions as well as pain in her shoulders and upper torso from the violent pulling action of the thug. Emotionally, she was traumatized. Newcastle Crown Court held a hearing in the matter before a jury. Andrew Haikney was the defendant. At the time of the purse snatching, he had been out on license for a burglary from the home of an ill pensioner. Haikney admitted being in the Seaburn area when the offense occurred, but denied committing the crime.
Guilty Verdict
The jury found Haikney guilty. The street mugger was sentenced to five years in jail. That’s five years of increased security for pensioners in the area. It is doubtful that this brave woman, who sustained the shock of a mugging, will ever again be walking home alone from a night of bingo.
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