Mugged OAP: 'What have I done to deserve this?'

The 80-year-old’s handbag, including her house keys, purse, bank cards and mobile phone, was snatched by a man in Cedric Crescent, Thurcroft, at lunchtime on Tuesday.

She also had a “sentimental” teddy in her bag which her late brother-in-law Ronald Hibbert bought her.

Ms Richardson was being comforted this week by her sister Jean, also aged 80, after being taken to hospital with neck, arm, hand and knee injuries.

The pensioner, of St Edmund’s Avenue, said: “They took my phone, my medication, everything I need, really.

“I was going to the shop to pay my gas, electric and water bill so I had £120 on me and of course that’s gone, too.

“Thurcroft is not that kind of place, nothing like this has happened to me before.

“I have lived in the village for 80 years and if, after that long, you can’t walk to the shop without getting mugged then something is seriously wrong.”

Ms Richardson said she was walking along Cedric Crescent at around 11.45am on Tuesday when a man in front of her turned around and asked her for a cigarette.

She said: “A grey Peugeot pulled up and the man pushed me to the floor and stole my handbag and got into the car which drove off.”

Ms Richardson said the man was wearing a black hoodie, a white shirt and grey trainers and trousers.

Asked if she had a message for her attacker, she said: “What have I done to you for you to do that to me?

“What would you think if it happened to your parents or grandparents?

“If you are local then I would look out because if I see you then you won’t have a windscreen left.”

Police confirmed they were investigating the incident, after which the Peugeot 206 drove off towards Locksley Drive. 

The thief is described as white, about 5ft 7ins tall, of slim build and he spoke with a local accent.

Det Con Richard Gladwin said: “Thankfully, the woman was not injured during the incident but she was understandably left extremely shaken by what happened.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 423 of May 24.