Great-grandad, 89, fights off Blackburn muggers

7:00am Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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By Emma Cruces »

MUGGERS met their match when they targeted an 89-year-old grandad.

Former Royal Artillery gunner Patrick Ginty had cash taken from his pockets by two ‘drunken’ men in their 50s, but the retired bus conductor snatched back cash they had grabbed from his pocket and chased them off by shaking his walking stick.

Mr Ginty, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, was walking home from Morrisons, when he saw the men, who were lying in wait at the entrance to Blackburn Market Hall, near Grays menswear store.

One of the men distracted Mr Ginty by dropping change on the ground at 2.30pm on Monday.

He then blocked his path by crawling on the floor on his hands and knees.

While Mr Ginty was distracted, the second man took a £20 note and a £5 note out of Mr Ginty’s back pocket.

Realising what they had done, Mr Ginty demanded his cash back.

Mr Ginty, a grandfather-of-three and great-grandfather-of-two who has arthritis and suffered a heart attack five years ago, said: “I was intimidated but at the same time I was also very angry.

“It’s my money not theirs and I wanted it back.

“They offered me £5, like that’s all they had taken and I said: ‘What about the rest?’ "I spotted he still had hold of the £20 note, so I grabbed it.

"That’s when they scarpered.

“I was shaking my stick.”

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Constabulary said: “This incident involved two drunken men trying to take advantage of an elderly man.

"We appeal for anyone with information to come forward and prevent this from happening again.”

The first man is described as white, aged 45-50, 6ft, well-built with receding hair, a round face and chubby.

He was wearing a dark casual jacket and dark trousers and had a local accent.

The second man was of medium build aged 45-50, wearing a dark suit jacket and dark trousers.

If you can help call police on 51212 or 0800 555 111.