Tuesday, 3 March 2009 - 12:17pm |
National News

Police applaud pluck of elderly victim

1 min read

Hamilton Police are commending the actions of a frightened elderly woman who when confronted by an aggressive youth trying to gain access to her home fought him off with a rolling pin early Saturday morning.

Constable Chris Mankelow said when officers arrived at the woman's Enderley address the offender was so embarrassed he virtually leapt into the Police car.

"The woman who is aged in her seventies and lives on her own was awoken about 3.30am by a man swearing and banging on her door claiming he lived there.

"The poor lady has lived there for about 30 years and assured the 15-year-old he had the wrong house and to go away but he wouldn't and our operator could hear him yelling abuse at her."

Before Police could arrive the boy smashed the glass window of the woman's back door and tried to reach through to unlock it but couldn't quite reach.

"So he's stuck his head in and the victim has promptly struck him on the head with her rolling pin, she noticed he was still there so she's hit him a second and third time.

"When we arrived we found the offender crying. He'd had had a wee 'accident' and stripped down to his boxers and was pretty keen to be taken away. He's since been bailed to his parents care and referred to Youth Aid for follow up action."

Mr Mankelow said responding officers were quite impressed by the sprightly pensioner.

"She was a bit shaken but had the presence of mind to ring 111 and raise the alarm.

"While we always recommend caution in such circumstances she can be commended for her actions, it's quite clear the offender has come off second best in this incident."

Note for media: The victim has been quite clear it is not her wish to be identified or to be approached by media and it is asked that her privacy be respected.

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