‘Heroes’ rewarded for OAP theft chase
Christopher Miles is jailed for robbing woman, 86, at cashpoint
Published: 05 August, 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
BYSTANDERS who chased a robber down Camden High Street and detained him until police arrived, were commended by a crown court judge on Friday and given £250 reward money.
Christopher Miles, 36, of Arlington Road, Camden Town, was jailed for three years for his “attack” on a vulnerable 86-year-old woman as she withdrew cash from a Lloyds TSB cashpoint in April. He scratched her hand before attempting to make off down the road with £200 and her cash card, Blackfriars Crown Court was told by prosecutor, Emma Jones.
Sentencing him, Recorder Robert Rhodes QC said his robbery “must have been a terrifying experience” for the “small” pensioner, who was twice as vulnerable because of her age and size.
Ms Jones said Miles initially claimed he was the victim’s son-in-law and that he snatched the money after she refused a request for £20.
He then begged the members of the public holding him down to “‘let me go, and I’ll give her the money back,’” Ms Jones added.
A Police Community Support Officer arrived soon after to arrest him and he later pleaded guilty to the charge.
Defending Miles, Stuart Walker said he suffered “minor” mental health problems and snatched the money out of a sense of “frustration”.
He said Miles felt remorse for his victim and had apologised to her within minutes of the crime.
However, the court heard Miles had “numerous” convictions for theft dating back to 1992 and in 2007 was jailed for two years for having sex with a woman with learning difficulties.
The judge expressed frustration that two of the people who captured Miles did not have their details taken and thus could not be commended for their “public spiritedness” and could not be handed their cash reward.
He urged police to take down the details of those who assist in bringing a perpetrator to justice, even if they are unwilling to give a statement.
He said: “Pass on my suggestion that where members of the public put themselves at risk, and are so publicly spirited as to arrest someone who commits a serious offence and detains them, their details should be taken down so the judge is able to commend them.”