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23/05/02 - Mugging victim too
scared to go out
Evening Telegraph
 |
| Ada
Smith (84) suffered a black eye and bruises all
over her face |
A GREAT-grandmother who was left with shocking injuries
after a brutal robbery today said she was now too scared
to leave her home. Ada Smith (84) suffered a black eye
and painful bruises to her body after her handbag, which
contained just £40, was ripped from her arm. Police
have branded her attacker "cowardly" and today
continued to appeal for witnesses to the mugging.
As reported in later editions of The Evening Telegraph
yesterday, the attack took place just yards from Ada's
home at Hanover Court, Bretton, as she returned from shopping.
Ada, who has lived in the sheltered housing block for
20 years with her disabled husband Bill (87), said: "I
feel scared about going out again, but I will have to
get used to it.
There are only two of us here, and Bill can't go out,
so it is something I will have to do when I feel better.
"Bill has always told me to be careful, but you don't
know who's going to come along. You just have to look
after yourself as best you can. People should keep their
eyes open and be careful."
Today, Detective Constable Robin Pithey, who is investigating
the attack which took place at midday on Tuesday, said:
"Hopefully, the picture of Ada in The Evening Telegraph
will prick a few consciences. She has got no idea who
it was, but somebody must know." He said officers
were not linking the mugging to two other robberies in
Lincoln Road, Millfield, and Welland Road, Dogsthorpe
on Monday.
But he said: "Any one of these incidents could have
ended tragically. You just have to look at the case of
the old lady in Manchester who was pushed to the ground
and then died. "We are appealing to anyone who has
knowledge of the people who are committing these despicable
offences to come forward and speak to us."
Ada and Bill moved to Peterborough in 1982 when Bill retired.
They have been married for 64 years and have two daughters,
four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. 'Not safe
during the day' FRIENDS and neighbours of Ada Smith today
spoke of their disgust following the mugging just yards
from her home.
Alma Grady (69), who also lives in Hanover Court, Bretton,
said: "After hearing what had happened I was too
scared even to go outside. "When I finally went I
made sure I didn't take my purse or any money.
"Ada was such an active and independent woman, but
this sort of thing takes a lot out of you at her age.
"There seems to be much more violent crime nowadays.
For such a small city, Peterborough seems to have more
than its fair share."
Terry McKenna (84) lives in Morland Court, Werrington,
and sent a poem to The Evening Telegraph (above) about
violent crime against old people. He said: "Crime
always seems to be something to do with drugs and I think
it is getting worse. "It used to be a problem at
night, but now it seems you are not safe during the day,
either.
"I don't answer the door anymore, unless someone
rings me on the telephone beforehand or speaks to me through
the intercom." Mohammed Jamil, city councillor for
North Bretton, where Ada lives with her husband, said:
"I cannot believe someone could do this to a woman
in her twilight years.
"Someone must know the person who has done this and
I would appeal for them to come forward." Anyone
with information can contact police on 01733 563232. |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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