Pensioner robbed of Christmas savings in Small Heath

Left: Widow Doreen Laishley.

The Police haven't caught the low lifes who attacked and robbed this lady.

Why then haven't they told us the race of the muggers?

Surely this would help in efforts to catch them!

The Birmingham Mail reports - A PENSIONER has had her Christmas ruined after she was attacked by two thugs who stole more than £700 of festive spending money.

Widow Doreen Laishley was punched in the face and knocked over by muggers who took £400 in cash and £350-worth of supermarket savings stamps.

The 72-year-old had just collected the haul for colleagues at Sheldon Heath Social Club, where she works part-time, when the pair struck on Wednesday morning.

Mrs Laishley said she felt responsible for the loss of the money and was resigned to dipping into her own savings to replace the cash and stamps.

“It is not their fault I was mugged and they will need the stamps for their Christmas shopping,” she said.

“I am just lucky I was not hurt too badly.

“I wish I had managed to put up more of a fight and given them a kicking.”

Mrs Laishley was shopping in Small Heath when she was distracted by one of the men and then struck by an accomplice who snatched her bag. Customers at a nearby garage were said to have stood and watched as the muggers made off with the bag, which also contained credit and loyalty cards.

Her glasses were also broken in the attack.

Good samaritan Ann Bishop, of Kings Heath, was driving past on her way to Birmingham City’s nearby St Andrew’s ground when the incident happened on Small Heath By-pass.

She said the muggers were cowards for attacking a defenceless pensioner.

“It’s hard to believe this sort of thing happens in broad daylight,” Mrs Bishop said.

“I stopped my car because no-one else seemed to be helping.

“I called the police but Mrs Laishley was only worried about losing her friends’ savings stamps which had been collected for Christmas.”

Rory Stoves, of Tesco, said it was possible the stamps could be traced from their serial numbers.

A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed officers were investigating. Anyone with information should call 0345 113 5000

Article