Brave pensioner, 83, clung to robber’s legs during Morrisons cashpoint mugging

The 83-year-old man had just withdrawn £150 from the machine at the Morrisons store on Chorley Old Road, Bolton, when Sean Finn, who had been lurking nearby after being refused entry to the shop, knocked into him, sending him flying in an attempt to grab the cash.

But the sprightly pensioner did not give up without a fight, grabbing hold of Finn’s legs and toppling him over.

In CCTV shown at Bolton Crown Court the pair grappled on the ground before Finn, aged 39, broke free and ran off with the cash and the pensioner’s bank card.

His victim was left with bruised elbows and left hip and a badly bruised right shin.

Jailing Finn, who pleaded guilty to robbery, for four years, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh told him: “Clearly this was an attack, whether spontaneous or not, targeted against a vulnerable elderly man.”

Mark Brookes, prosecuting, told the court how the pensioner had gone to the store on July 11 to buy groceries and then headed to the cash machine.

Cashpoint at Morrisons on Chorley Old Road

“He went to the ATM to withdraw cash as a present for his grandson,” said Mr Brookes.

“As he was about to withdraw the cash he was barged to one side with enough force to fall to his side.

“From the floor he grabbed hold of the defendant’s legs in an attempt to stop the man getting away.”

In a statement given to police the elderly man said he had felt unwell the following day and the injuries have affected his social life, including playing golf.

“Since the incident I have become a lot more aware of my surroundings and cautious of people,” he said.

“I will no longer be using cash machines that are outside and vulnerable to this happening again.”

The court heard that Finn, a drug user with a prolific criminal record for shoplifting, had earlier been spotted by security staff at the supermarket and refused admission.

Sean Finn

After viewing the CCTV, police went to Finn’s home in Pryce Street, Bolton and arrested him. A search of the property revealed two bank cards, including one taken from the pensioner.

At the time of the robbery Finn was still subject to post-custodial supervision after serving a prison sentence for shoplifting.

Mark Friend, defending, said Finn, who can remember little of what happened, had been taking drugs, seeking solace after visiting his brother and mourning the death of his nephew.

He added that Finn is “disgusted” by his own behaviour towards the pensioner

“The expression of guilt is allied to a genuine feeling of remorse and contrition,” he said.