Pensioner uses crutches to tackle thief

A BIG-NOSED thief got more than he bargained for when a frail, elderly woman battered him around the head with her crutches as he stole her pension.

The plucky 81-year-old was alone in her home on Walsgrave Road, Solihull at around 1.30pm on February 22 when the offender knocked on the door.

Thinking it was her next-door neighbour she answered, but was forced out of the way by the man who then rummaged through her belongings in the living rooms.

He took £110 cash that he found in a purse and fled after the elderly woman used her crutches to hit him over the head.

Despite her brave attempts to fend him off, the pensioner has been left terrified by the ordeal and is struggling to sleep.

The victim was able to remember lots of detail about the offender - who she described as having a distinctively large nose.

At around six foot tall, he was clean-shaven, in his early 20s and of average build, with a very pale complexion and short, shiny wavy black hair.

He also had a distinctive calf-length overcoat which was dark navy or black, wore dark bottoms and spoke in a foreign language.

DC Lucinda Wilson, from Solihull Police, said: "The victim was extremely brave in trying to fight off the offender, but she's understandably been left terrified by the whole ordeal.

"She blames herself for the robbery and now struggles to sleep because of what happened.

"I want to hear from anyone who saw the offender running away from the house on Walsgrave Road or who knows anything about who may be responsible.

"We're following up several lines of enquiry but we really need crucial witnesses to come forward to help us find the offender."

Witnesses or anyone with any information should call DC Lucinda Wilson from Solihull Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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