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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Man jailed after ‘wicked’ attack on elderly victim in broad daylight

A robber who targeted an elderly man in broad daylight has been jailed.

John Ward, aged 41, struck in Bracebridge Drive, Bilborough, shortly after his 78-year-old victim withdrew a large sum of money from a cash machine.

The man was sitting on a bench on the morning of 31 May 2022 as Ward got out of a car, casually strode towards him, and wrenched his wallet from his hands.

He then fled the scene in the same car.

Helped by a partial number plate description from a member of the public, officers soon tracked the Vauxhall Corsa down and arrested its three occupants.

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The victim’s wallet was found inside.

Distant CCTV footage of the incident also showed the then-unidentified robber wearing what appeared to be the same clothes Ward was arrested in.

Ward, of Victoria Street, Ironville, initially declined to answer officers’ questions but later pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday he was jailed for two years and 11 months.

Detective Constable Dionne Love, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“This was a wicked and cowardly attack on an elderly victim.

“Ward saw an opportunity that day and pounced on a man he saw as an easy target.

“Unsurprisingly this incident has had a significant impact on the victim, who was already living with serious health problems.

“Ward showed absolutely no regard for his victim’s welfare and could easily have caused him a serious injury.

“I am pleased he has now been held to account for his actions and would also like to thank the quick-thinking member of the public who memorised details of the car number plate.

“Even though these details weren’t completely accurate, we did have enough information to quickly identify a suspect vehicle and pull it over with Ward and the stolen wallet still inside.

“Thanks in no small part to that bit of quick thinking, Ward is now beginning a well-deserved prison sentence and we have got justice for our victim.”

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