Woman left shocked after being mugged outside her home

The woman had just returned home at approximately 5pm last Thursday and had parked her car in her driveway at Lintagh Crescent. She was getting items from the boot when she felt a tug on her handbag.

As she turned to confront the culprit she was knocked to the ground. Following a struggle her handbag was taken from her.

The robber is described as around 19 years old, 5’ 9” tall of a slim build and wearing a light coloured beanie hat and a light coloured tracksuit.

The victim’s son said: “She was taking shopping bags from the boot of her car when a man grabbed her around the neck and then forced her to the ground. After a struggle the man made off with her handbag containing her purse, mobile phone and keys and ran to a waiting getaway car driven by an accomplice. She was left badly shaken and bruised.”

Councillor for the area Uel Mackin condemned the attack. He said: “It is ironic that towards the end of a week when wishes for peace and goodwill were being expressed to all, that those with evil intent attacked and robbed a female senior citizen in a quiet rural cul-de-sac.

“Frankly, I fail to understand what motivates anyone to carry out such a dastardly deed. The victim and her husband are quiet, respectable folk and certainly don’t deserve this kind of ill treatment. The lady, who is somewhat traumatised and has severe bruising to her legs and upper body, was able to get a good facial view of her attacker. This information has been given to the police and I trust it will help lead to an arrest and conviction.”

He added: “I am grateful to the PSNI for their prompt attention to this incident and for their care towards the victim. I believe it is most important that those living in quiet, especially rural, communities be on their guard. I would urge everyone to be vigilant in observing the movement of any unknown vehicle or person and to lookout for their neighbours.”

Alderman Allan Ewart said he had visited the lady on Saturday to offer his sympathies.

“The area is in a quiet part of the countryside and one would think is a safe place to live” he said. “Whoever was responsible needs to be caught and receive the full rigour of the law. Society should be protected from thugs who carry out these crimes and I urge anyone who has any shred of evidence to pass it to the police. If and when they are brought to justice I appeal that they are given the maximum sentence as I expect people to be able to go about their daily business free from fear.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and trust their lives get back to normal as soon as possible.”

Local MLA Edwin Poots said the woman has lived in the area for a considerable period of time.

“She is a devoted Christian lady who is extremely well respected within the whole community” he said. “I would condemn this attack and would appeal to the community to telephone the police with any information regarding it”.

DPP member Councillor Paul Stewart said, “I will be raising this matter at the District Policing Partnership, to see if we could start a community watch scheme in the area. The attack happened in daylight and therefore I would ask any member of the community who saw this despicable unprovoked attack to report it to the local police. In the meantime Edwin Poots and myself have spoken to police to increase patrols within this area.”Police are appealing for anyone with information about this crime to contact them on 0845 600 8000.