‘Man left cells and mugged widow’

Jan 15 2009 The Journal

A MAN mugged a frail elderly widow within minutes of being released from custody, a court heard yesterday.

Steve Briggs had been kept overnight at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in North Shields before being released from the holding cells shortly after 10am, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Less than 20 minutes later he attacked 73-year-old Mary Wilson in the street, grabbing hold of her handbag containing her purse, cash, a gold wedding ring and a “lucky” penny, it was alleged.

Mrs Wilson had put up a brave fight to hang on to her handbag before being pulled to her knees in the struggle, said Glen Gatland, prosecuting.

The pensioner was left with swollen and cut knees, a cut hand and severe shock and was treated by paramedics.

Briggs was arrested at a nearby house later that morning when he was found hiding in the loft under some insulation.

Mrs Wilson’s purse and lucky penny were recovered from the back of a sofa where Briggs had apparently been sitting a few minutes earlier, Mr Gatland said.

A coat he was allegedly wearing shortly before the robbery was also retrieved from the back of the sofa and Mrs Wilson’s handbag was found dumped in a bin a nearby back alley.

Briggs, 37, of Marina View, Wallsend, denies robbery in September last year in Trinity Street, North Shields.

“In interview he said he had been near the area where the attack took place but denied any knowledge of the robbery itself,” said Mr Gatland.

“He said the jacket found at the house was his, but denied any knowledge of the other property.”

In a video interview played to the court, Mrs Wilson, now 74, told how she had been walking along the street when she heard someone running.

“I did not take that much notice and then someone shoved me,” she said.

“I thought it was an accident. I never dreamt he was going to get my bag.

“It was pull, pull, pull until he got it. I didn’t have any strength left and with the last pull, I went crashing down.

“I was just walking along the street and it happened so quickly.

“He was gone in a fraction. I was really shaken.”

Mrs Wilson said her attacker was wearing a hood with the draw strings tightly done up and she did not see his face.

The trial continues today.