Pensioner hits would-be mugger in the groin with walking stick

A PLUCKY pensioner fended off a teenage mugger by bashing him "between the legs" with her walking stick as he tried to pinch her prescription.

Retired dressmaker Agnes Reid, who suffers from arthritis, whacked the would-be thief in the groin after he attacked her from behind as she walked home from a pharmacy in broad daylight.

The 65-year-old grandmother said the youngster, who police describe as 15 to 16 years old, dropped to the ground in agony as she protected the prescriptions she had just picked up for her husband and son.

Brave Agnes, who suffers from arthritis in her knees, hip, spine and fingers and is in constant agony, had also just collected painkillers for herself before the incident which happened in Whitburn.

She said: "I wasn't even going to call the police because I thought I would get into trouble for hitting him. I was picking up prescriptions for my husband, who had a heart attack, and epilepsy drugs for my son, Jason, and some painkillers and put them in my bag.

"I always have my handbag strap over my head and shoulder, I don't know why.

"I was walking up Union Road to go home where some of the houses have hedges so I don't know where he came from but he came up from behind and grabbed my handbag and the plastic bag I was had.

"I don't know if he was after the prescriptions or not. When the plastic bag broke that was when I gave him it right between the legs and I took off."

Agnes, who has 16 grandchildren, was not hurt in the incident. She added: "I got a big fright. I've got bad knees but it must have been the fastest I've got up that hill in my life.

"When I got home my son told me to phone the police because he said it could have been someone older than me it happened to."

The incident happened at around 5:15pm on Thursday after Agnes left the Boots pharmacy on West Main Street.

Whitburn councillor Gordon Beurskens said he was shocked by the incident.

He said: "This was a cowardly attack on a vulnerable elderly lady. When the perpetrators of these crimes are caught, the courts need to send a clear message that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.

"All too often these situations cause longer term consequences, and I hope the victim will not be too traumatised by her experience. It can often be even more dangerous when the frail or elderly take on their attackers, but I am sure I speak for the community when I say that I admire her courage."

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "Clearly the suspect saw his intended victim as an easy target, but quickly discovered this not to be the case.

"Thankfully, the woman was not robbed of her possessions but nevertheless, we are keen to speak to anyone who was in West Main Street around 5:15pm and can help us locate the male responsible.

"Anyone with information that can assist with our enquiries is asked to contact police."

The suspect is described as male, white, between 15 and 16 years old, 5ft 7ins with a slim build. He was wearing a black cap, black-buttoned jacket and blue jeans.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.