Pensioner robbed by ‘good samaritans’ who helped him onto bus

THE daughter of a disabled pensioner robbed by two women who helped him on a bus has revealed how they have “taken away his independence and dignity”.

Police have this week issued CCTV pictures in an attempt to trace the women.

The 84-year-old victim, from the Essex Road area, suffers from asbestosis and has limited mobility after a stroke. He was not injured but is still shaken up by the robbery. 

His 53-year-old daughter, who asked not to be named, said this week: “It’s terrible that they pick on vulnerable people and have resorted to this. They seem to be pickpockets who have upped their game. Fortunately, my dad was not physically hurt – the next victim might not be so lucky.”

The victim was targeted after he withdrew money from the Halifax bank in Liverpool Road, Angel, on November 12 last year.

As he boarded the number 30 bus from Angel at about 3.30pm, the women helped him on and into a seat. While doing so they tried to take his money but failed.

The victim left the bus in St Paul’s Road, Canonbury, but when he stopped to rest at a bus stop the suspects pinned him up against a bus shelter, stealing £500 from his jacket pocket.

His daughter said: “I’d only taken him to the doctors in a wheelchair that morning. He always tries to be independent so that’s when he went to the bank. He can walk but he’s very slow.”

Her father, who developed asbestosis after working as a painter and builder, did not want to tell her what happened. 

She said: “When I went round to do the dinner, my mum whispered it to me. I said we have to tell the police. He was embarrassed, ashamed he couldn’t do anything against them. People would find this despicable.

“He won’t go to the bank on his own any more. It’s taken his independence and dignity away. The next time they do it an elderly person might not come out unscathed. The shock could kill someone of that age.”

She hopes the CCTV appeal will encourage people to come forward. “Ninety-nine per cent of people will want them caught,” she said. “Even hardened criminals don’t like this type of crime.”

PC Jo Miller, from Islington Robbery Squad, said: “I am doing everything I can to ensure these offenders are brought to justice. However, so much relies on the CCTV images. If you know who these people are, then please contact us immediately.”

Anyone who can help can call PC Miller on 020 7421 0250 or Crime­stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
ROISIN GADELRAB