Zimmer OAP mugged on his doorstep

A GRANDFATHER who walks with a Zimmer frame today vowed he would not be left a prisoner in his home despite being robbed by two “despicable” thugs on his own doorstep.

The 81-year-old army veteran had just returned home from a trip to a nearby charity shop when he was pushed against the wall by the muggers, who stole £80 from him along with a pair of memorial cards he kept to remember late friends.

But the plucky pensioner asked for the cards back as the robbers made off, and one of the culprits stopped to return the mementoes.

The pensioner told the News: “I just hope they catch those responsible before it can happen to someone else.

“The police were worried that I might be afraid to go out after this, but it’s not going to stop me.”

The victim, who asked not to be named, had returned to his block of flats in Dalry Road, near to West Park Place, at around 4.25pm on Saturday when the thieves struck.

He said: “I’d been visiting the Save the Children charity shop on Dalry Road. I came in through the main door and closed the spring-locked second door behind me.

“I was walking to my front door when I heard a banging noise as if someone was forcing the door open. I turned round and these two men were standing there.

“The taller one said, ‘Have you got any money?’ Instinctively I said ‘no’, and he pushed me against the wall and said, ‘Well, do you mind if I check?’

“He dipped his hand into my top pocket where I keep my money and took it out. He also took out two memorial cards for friends who had passed away, and my organ donor card. I asked if I could have my cards back. One stopped and came back and gave me the cards then turned on his heels.”

The pensioner, who served with the Royal Scots, Royal Corps of Signals and the Intelligence Corps between 1949 and 1976, later worked for the city council’s trading standards department.

Police are checking CCTV from the area and carried out door-to-door inquiries.

The first suspect is described as being a white male in his mid-20s, around 5ft 9in, who speaks with a local accent. He was wearing an orange or yellow-coloured jumper or tracksuit top and jeans.

The second suspect is described as being a white male, also in his mid-20s, around 5ft 9in with short dark hair.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Blair said: “This was an utterly despicable crime committed by two men who took advantage of an older person with mobility issues. We want to catch those responsible as soon as possible.”