Thief targets Good Samaritan couple

GOOD Samaritans John and Joyce Mason paid a heavy price for helping an old lady in distress–an opportunist thief walked off with their holdall containing £150 worth of property.

The Swinton couple were about to drive off on a four day caravan break in North Yorkshire when the elderly woman fell in the road nearby.

John put down the holdall containing £20 in cash and the couples’ holiday clothing and personal belongings while they went to help.

The woman was not badly hurt and was able to walk away but when John and Joyce arrived at their holiday destination in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, more than two hours later, the holdall was missing.

It meant the couple had to spend around £60 replacing essential clothing for their break.

Said John (75) a retired steelworker: “I am not sure whether our holdall was taken while we were helping the old lady, or whether we drove off leaving it behind. It was a large bag and I think we would have noticed it if it was where I had left it.

“Either way my name, address and telephone number were inside the bag so whoever took it must have known who it belonged to.

“I was so upset at the time I couldn’t sleep that night thinking about it. You can’t believe someone could walk off with your bag while you are trying to help someone.”

John has reported the theft to the police but he will not be claiming on his insurance because the excess he carries will not make it worth while.