BAD boy turned hero Scott Grant has spoken of the moment he saw an elderly woman being attacked by a mugger in the centre of Devizes and gave chase.

The woman, who is from Devizes and in her eighties, was taken to Great Western Hospital with a broken hip after the mugging in Snuff Street at about 3pm on Monday.

Mr Grant, 24, of Caen Hill Gardens, Devizes, said: “I was standing outside The Pelican when I saw the man on a bike in Snuff Street grab her handbag and she fell over. I couldn’t believe what was happening and I gave chase. I ran after him for as far as I could but as he was on a bike I couldn’t get to him.”

But customers from Costa Coffee had rung 999 and when police arrived shortly after Mr Grant was able to tell them in which direction the man had cycled off.

He went with officers to an address in Devizes and a man was arrested. 

Mr Grant, who is railway track man by trade but is not working at the moment, said he had been in trouble with the police in the past but was now a reformed character.

He said: “I am glad I was able to help. I would like the lady to know that I did everything I could to help her. She was in a lot of pain. It was a horrible thing to happen.

"I have been in a bit of trouble before but I have turned my life around.”

Police said yesterday that a 33-year-old man man from Devizes has been charged with robbery and remanded in custody following the incident.

Detective Sergeant Nicky Caffrey, of Wiltshire Police, said: “As this a nasty robbery we are still appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious, taking place in Snuff Street on Monday afternoon, to come forward to help us with our inquiries.

“If you saw the offence or anyone riding away from the scene of the crime please call me, on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”