Woman on crutch robbed by ‘despicable’ mugger
The frail woman was attacked near the Trafalgar Bar on Tuesday
POLICE are hunting a callous mugger who targeted a “frail” woman with a broken foot who was walking home from a shop with the aid of a crutch.
The 45-year-old victim, whom police said was “small and vulnerable”, was pushed to the ground by a man who stole her handbag. The woman fought to keep hold of her bag before the thug ripped it free.
Police are also appealing to a pair of Good Samaritans who came to help the victim following the attack, which took place at around 8.55pm on Tuesday in Henderson Street, Leith, to come forward.
The victim had just passed the Trafalgar Bar when the mugger struck.
Pc Andy McIver, from the Violence Reduction Unit at Gayfield police station, said: “The victim was pushed to the ground by the suspect. She tried to keep hold of her bag but he has pulled it free and made off.
“She was using a single crutch after breaking her foot, and was not due to get plaster off for another two weeks. She is a small lady and was particularly frail and vulnerable.
“The victim was not hurt physically, but she has been emotionally. She was shaken up by this horrible experience.”
After the suspect grabbed her bag, he made off towards Yardhead, where he met another man who may also be involved.
The main suspect is described as being in his 30s, 5ft 9in tall, round build, with short blond hair, and wearing blue jeans and denim jacket.
Pc McIver said officers were examining CCTV from the area in a bid to identify the suspects.
He added: “The victim was assisted by two Good Samaritans. They did not hang around after making sure she was fine, but we would appeal to them to contact police as they may be able to assist our inquiries.
“This is a busy area and there are three pubs near to where the incident took place, the Trafalgar Bar, Anderson’s Bar, and Wilkies. Perhaps someone drinking at these pubs, or having a cigarette outside, witnessed the incident or saw these men acting suspiciously in the area beforehand.”
Leith councillor Gordon Munro said: “This was a despicable and cowardly act and someone will know who is responsible. The kind of person who would commit this crime would go after anybody.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.
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Comments
There are 17 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Elvis
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:23 AM#15-being such an expert on all things social work you'll appreciate how ridiculous it is to link the supervision of a sex offender to the mugging of 45 yr old woman then surely? The comment made was in essence that the women would not get any social work support as they're all too busy supervising sex offenders-when clearly this is nonsense.They are 2 different specialisms of social work ,and so one would not affect the provision of the other.(community carecriminal justice). You obviously have some insider knowledge about the costs involved as well ,rather than having just read the £100,000 headline in the tabloids so I bow to your knowledge again-how silly of me to assume you were just rehashing a shoddy headline! Nice to see someone claiming to be from a social work background backstabbing their colleagues and their profession though-.thats the sort of solidarity that will hwlp change public opinion-good on you!
Harvey Mushman
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:20 PMWhoever painted that bar ought to be arrested as well.....
abner doubleday
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:44 PM#9 worked in area management in four Social Work Depts including Lothian so I know how much these things cost. Unless, of course, they are using social care staff which is much cheaper.Oh, and I don't read The Sun which you seem to know a lot about.
CASHKING7
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:29 PMAnarchy will rule this country unless justice gets tougher, too many do gooders with the human rights stick to wave in everybody's face, arsehole like this should have no human rights, cut his Fekin hands off and see what he steals then.
andover hibs
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:13 PMWhat a scumbag,But if they had more police on the streets,these crimes could be prevented,How can people do this.that is someones mum, know doubt be a druggie,needing another fix .hope someone sorts him out before the police catch him.
jerrygreg
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 03:45 PMI'm quite happy to see Rugal spouting his uninformed, reactionary, negative drivel wherever he sees fit because it highlights the fact that he has nothing worthwhile to say about anything.
Elvis
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:44 PM#10-you've clearly not read article again -but go on to blow hot air. Since when was 45 classed as an 'elderly lady'? You have no understanding of anything to do with social servicessocial work(or indeed many other things you feel fit to comment on in this paper)and you've once again demonstrated your crass ignorance for all to see-keep reading the sundaily mail and give us all peace! Why not get off your ignorant backside and go volunteer for victim support or a similar charity rather than embarrasing yourself on here if you feel so strongly! (unless community care social workers now class 45 year olds as a priority,but are unable to work with them as they too busy supervising released sex offenders-if that what it says in the sundaily mail- I stand corrected.) Rugal the oracle of ignorance!
Rugal
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:36 PM#6 Yes you're right why on earth would the social work department get in touch with an older lady who's just been mugged to see how she is and if she needs any help. There's more chance of them visiting the mugger to make sure he has everything he needs, in fact they will visit the scumbag as soon as he's been arrested.
Elvis
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:24 PM#8-They may well be,but not similar criminal justice social workers or children and families workers who presumably are involved in supervising Greens- so the link is tenuous to say the least. these organisations may employ social workers but i'm not aware of it being part of remit of local authority employed social workers-but maybe you'll know better than me having read the sun? The article is nothing to do with Greens so keep to the thread-You've clearly been reading too many tabloids with your £100,000 claims! If it wasn't for social workers then Greens would be free to put many more adultschildren at risk.It wasn't any social worker who made decision to release him-they just have to pick up pieces for decision and get abuse in press for doing so from ignorant keyboard warriors like you and Rugal et.al. Get a life -or at least get the facts accurate before spouting!
abner doubleday
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:45 PM#6 social workers are employed Victim Support as well as other counselling services.. The cost of providing two social workers - in reality a team working shifts - will be at least £100, 000 excluding sleep-in allowances and out-of-hours payments. Human rights for potential victims?
This lower than low bit of scum is nothing but a coward, he will only pick on those who cant help themselves, hopefully he will get his comeuppence soon. pigswill_trumpet.
Elvis
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:28 PM#2-once again a classic nonsense statement form you!Why would someone in this position necessarily be visitted by social work?And if they were it clearly wouldn't be someone from children and families section who would be supervising the individual u refer to, so like most of your comments-a soundbite that stands up to no scrutiny in terms of accuracy or fact!!
slaytheferalscum
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:22 PMwhat a sad reflection on this once great city of Edinburgh what a shame the decent law abiding people of this country have no faith in the Police whatsoeevr to protect them and no confidence to prosecute this sort of low life interbred feral scum in the few cases when the police do find these thugs. Scotland and indeed the UK have became the most disusting country in Europe and it is about time that the muppets of politiciains woke up to this is there not cctv in leith or is it too scummy? are there not police on foot in leith or are they too scared? BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY
Sally Longlegs
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:03 PMThis is despicable . I hope the lowlife is caught and dealt with adequately but I doubt it. He needs to be birched.
Xena - Warrior Princess
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:54 PMI really, really hope that there is truth in the saying "what goes around, comes around". Grown men attacking a woman is bad enough but when she is clearly frail and disabled is beyond sickening. It must be great not to have a conscience.
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