15/04/2008

Pensioner Shocked In Attack

Robbers have been going for the soft option, by attacking a pensioner in her 80s.

The victim has been left shocked following the incident at her south Belfast home.

Meanwhile, a man has been jailed for what was described a botched 'spur of the moment' cash delivery robbery in which he used his wife's own car to escape. The man was sentenced on the same day the lady was attacked in her own home.

It took place at about 4.30pm on Monday at Lille Park in Finaghy and was carried out by by a man dressed in a high-visibility vest, like a workman.

He restrained the pensioner before searching the house, taking car keys and a purse containing cash.

It is thought two other men also entered the house during the robbery. The woman was shaken but not hurt.

The robber is thought to be about 40 years of age with a southern accent.

Meanwhile, a man who decided - on the spur of the moment - to attempt to rob a security guard of cash has been jailed for four years.

Belfast Crown Court heard Ernest James Swaffield, 45, from Seahaven Drive in Portavogie, was caught as he had used his wife's own car as his getaway vehicle.

Swaffield demanded the guard hand over a cash box and put his hand in his pocket to suggest he had a gun.

The guard ran into the bank while a surveillance officer who had been in the nearby van chased Swaffield.

The attempted robbery happened in September 2006 outside the Ulster Bank on the Lisburn Road in Belfast.

A defence lawyer said Swaffield had dropped his wife off to go shopping and was waiting to get her when he tried to rob the guard 'in this moment of madness'.

A prosecution lawyer said Swaffield claimed to the guard that he had been trying to prevent two other men from robbing the box, believed to contain about £25,000 in cash.

He said the guard had noted the registration number of Swaffield's car, and was arrested by police who established it was registered in his wife's name.

Swaffield denied any involvement during police questioning but later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and driving while disqualified.

(BMcC)

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