Manchester has been left reeling today after news has surfaced of an OAP casino mugging, in which an eighty six year old woman had what is being described as a “substantial amount” of her life savings taken from her as she left a casino and made her way home. She was carrying not only her winnings from the night spent at the Genting Salford Casino, but also some of her living savings in a white satchel handbag, as she was afraid of being burgled if she left the money inside her house at Christmas.
The robbery occurred just after she got out of a taxi in Grosvenor Street, when a young man of about 5ft 4ins took the bag from her shoulder and ran towards Worsley Street in order to make his getaway. Given the popularity of casino fruit machines, which represent a fun game that can be played without much physical effort and is a great way to pass the time, amongst the older generation, it is attacks like this that are made all too easy for the kind of bottom dwellers that would consider stealing from a grandmother.
“This was a particularly cruel robbery on a vulnerable, lone, elderly woman who had been enjoying a night out at the casino and was returning home with a large amount of cash in her handbag,” said PC Michelle Ingham. “She kept her life savings with her because she was afraid her home would be burgled while she was out, but sadly has fallen victim to just such a crime by a despicable and callous thief. As a result, she now faces not just a bleak Christmas but an uncertain future beyond that. We desperately want to get this woman her money back so we are appealing to anyone who has information to come forward. I would appeal to anyone who either witnessed what happened or suspects who may be involved to call us immediately.” Concerns are high that the woman may suffer lasting effects from the shock and ongoing psychological trauma of losing the money, as well as struggling to cope without any income.