'I wish I knocked him off his bike' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'I wish I knocked him off his bike'

An artist's impression of the man police are seeking in connection with a robbery in Gainsborough WayCATCH THE SNATCHERS: THE pensioner who was seriously injured by a bagsnatcher on a bike has told how she wants to see her attacker horsewhipped.

From her hospital bed, the plucky 79-year-old said she wished she been able to knock him off his bike with her shopping trolley.

Police have now released an artist's impression of the teenager who carried out the robbery in a bid to snare him.

The incident happened in Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook at around 7pm on Wednesday.

The victim, who does not want to be identified, was left with a shattered knee joint and severe bruising.

She said: "I wanted to knock him off his bike with my shopping trolley, but it all happened so quickly and I was in so much pain.

"Fortunately a very nice

man came to my rescue and called for help. I don't know what I would've done without the young man's help.

"Although I was in terrible pain I managed to walk a little way, hoping that I could make my way home but the policeman insisted on taking me to the hospital. My knee was so badly damaged that I've had to have it pinned.

"I'm still in a lot of

pain and haven't yet managed to get out of bed.

"Everyone has been so

kind to me."

She is angry at the man who robbed her.

"I would like to see the culprit horse-whipped. As a matter of fact I would like to horsewhip him myself," she said.

"Although the ordeal has left me

feeling nervous and a little scared, I won't be beaten, I won't let him

win.

"At my age the only exercise I get is walking and I'm certainly not going to give that up. I'm determined to go out and about as soon as I recover.

"If anyone out there knows who is responsible then report the coward to the police."

The bag snatcher did not manage to get away with any cash.

Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "This despicable crime has hospitalised an elderly lady and robbed of her mobility, which we hope will be short-term, however some victims never fully recover from the trauma of such an experience.

"We need your help to catch the culprit before he strikes again. Do you know this youth?"

He is described as a light skinned black youth, slim build, clean shaven, neat short hair, aged about 13 or 14 years, wearing dark clothing, blue jeans and riding a BMX bike with a saddle lower than the handlebars.

Last week, the Swindon Advertiser launched a campaign to Catch the Snatchers in the wake of this latest incident.

This came after a spate of 38 bag snatches in Swindon since May all of them carried out by robbers on bikes.

And Detective Inspector Paul Jennings of Swindon Police warned that the robberies could end up in tragedy with someone being killed during a snatch.

The police have not ruled out that the robberies, which have occurred across Swindon, could all be linked and carried out by one gang.

Last month a special team of both uniform and plain-clothes officers was set up to catch those responsible.

A number of stop and search operations were carried out at random in Gorse Hill and the town centre.

Anyone who recognises the artist's impression is urged to contact Swindon CID on 528111 or, in confidence, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Jamie Hill