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22/05/02 - 'Coward' mugs 84-year-old
Ada
Evening Telegraph
 |
| Ada
Smith (84) suffered a black eye and bruises all
over her face |
AN elderly woman was left with horrifying injuries after
being knocked to the ground and robbed of her bag containing
just £40. AN elderly woman was left with horrifying
injuries after being knocked to the ground and robbed
of her bag containing just £40. Ada Smith (84) suffered
a black eye and bruises all over her face and body when
she was assaulted in Bretton, Peterborough.
Today, police branded her attacker "cowardly"
and appealed to city residents to help find him. The attack
took place just seconds after frail Ada had got off a
bus following a shopping trip at midday yesterday.
As she walked down Hanover Court, the thief came up behind
the pensioner and grabbed her bag, knocking her to the
ground. The force of the attack caused the Ada's face
to smash into the ground leaving her with a black eye,
broken teeth and cuts and bruises. But brave Ada managed
to struggle to her feet and get back home where her disabled
husband, Bill, called police.
At home today, Ada said: "I was just plodding home
with a bag in either hand. I didn't hear anyone, but then
he went past me and the next thing my arm was pulled and
I fell to the floor. "I just hope they catch him.
It's disgusting that someone could have done this. Why
can't they go and get an job? They would rather steal
than work for a living."
Ada was helped to her feet by a mystery driver and his
wife, who pulled over in their car after witnessing the
attack. The couple then took her home. Ada's husband,
Bill, said: "I barely recognised her when she came
through the door. We have lived here for 20 years and
nothing like this has ever happened."
The robber escaped with Ada's khaki-coloured handbag,
which contained £40 in cash, a Britta water filter
and some medicine. Detective Constable Robin Pithey, of
Peterborough police, who is investigating the incident
yesterday, said: "Any information, no matter how
small, could help trace this person. "We did search
the area, but were unable to trace him."
Appealing to readers of The Evening Telegraph, he added:
"We need your help to find this man. He does not
deserve anyone's protection." DC Pithey said Ada
had not been able to give a detailed description of the
offender, although she has told officers she believed
he was wearing a navy-blue hooded top and grey trousers.
Anyone with any information about the attack should contact
DC Robin Pithey at Thorpe Wood police station, on 01733
563232, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. |
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